Trading standards announce amnesty for counterfeit goods

Cumbria Trading Standards has announced a three month amnesty on counterfeit goods starting on Monday (1 Nov).

During the amnesty, which will run until 31 January 2011, anyone in possession of quantities of counterfeit goods of any type can sign them over to any trading standards office or library in Cumbria without fear of being prosecuted.

Counterfeit goods are illegal copies of well known branded products and can include designer clothes and shoes, electrical goods such as hair straighteners, DVDs and CDs, perfume, cigarettes and alcohol. Many of the counterfeit goods handed in will be de-branded and donated to charity or good causes where possible.

The amnesty will not apply to anyone already subject to formal investigation or proceedings.

The trade in counterfeit goods is believed to cost the UK over 4,000 job losses each year and it is estimated that this costs all industry sectors around £11billion every year. Such losses pose a serious threat to the stability of the UK economy at a time when we are all tightening our finances.

Trading standards officer Eamonn Quinn, who is leading this amnesty, said: "There is a darker side to counterfeiting - fake goods can be dangerous and there is evidence that counterfeiting can be linked to organised crime and drugs.

"In some cases individuals might be supplying counterfeit goods to their family, friends or work colleagues without realising the seriousness of the offences. We urge them to stop supplying immediately and use this opportunity to hand in any counterfeit goods without fear of reprisal."

The maximum penalty for offences under this legislation is an unlimited fine and up to 10 years in prison per offence.

A recent case at Preston Crown Court has resulted in a Proceeds of Crime payment of £105,000 and a two year suspended sentence being awarded against a counterfeiter working from home and selling on eBay. This is the biggest award Cumbria Trading Standards has received and clearly illustrates that monies gained from criminal activities like counterfeiting will be taken back.

Cumbria County Councillor Gary Strong, Cabinet member for trading standards, said: "I really hope that this amnesty will make counterfeiters think about the damage they’re doing to legitimate traders in the county and the harm they may be causing to consumers. If they want to stop and put this aspect of their lives behind them now is the time to do it.

"Once the amnesty is over we will continue to target markets, car boot sales and the internet to remove fake and potentially unsafe goods and prosecute anyone selling them. When we catch up with them - which we will - the court will know the opportunity to hand over the goods was ignored."

For further details on where and how to surrender counterfeit goods please contact 01229 404040 or trading.standards@cumbriacc.gov.uk