Inquirer.Net 30th July 2008
NBI seizes P3.5-M worth of fake Looney Tunes, DC Comics shirts seized
MANILA, Philippines – Around P3.5 million worth of children’s wear featuring counterfeited images of cartoons characters were seized by the National Bureau of Investigation agents in Manila.
The Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) agents, led by Elfren Meneses, raided the sales outlet, printing facility and factory of Hiyes Commercial and/or Hi-win Garments Manufacturing in Binondo and Sta. Cruz on Tuesday.
The firms’ owners were identified as Johny Sy Ching, Edward Ching and Eden Sy Ching.
Seized during the raid were 5,057 pieces of fake Looney Tunes and DC Comics children’s clothes, 237 silk screens and sewing and printing equipment.
The NBI conducted the operation based on a complaint from Warner Bros., owner of the copyright on the Looney Tunes and DC Comics characters.
Charges of trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines or Republic Act 8293 are being readied against the owners of the establishments.
— Allison Lopez