Counterfeit DVDs seized in Knowsley

22 April 2009

22nd April, 2009

A substantial quantity of counterfeit DVDs has been seized in Knowsley.

Officers from the Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Team seized 675 DVDs from two men and a woman attempting to sell the counterfeit DVDs from holdalls in and around Knowsley Industrial Estate in Kirkby.  The three individuals appeared to be working as a team.  The seizure included over 250 illegal pornographic DVDs. 

The production and supply of counterfeit goods is a serious criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years imprisonment. 

In addition to the sellers, businesses who knowingly allow the sale of counterfeit goods on their premises could face prosecution.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, commented “The manufacture and sale of counterfeit goods has serious adverse effects on traders selling genuine goods and the consumer is often left disappointed as the quality is invariably poor and the chance of a refund unlikely. 

“The production, distribution and supply of counterfeit products are viewed seriously and we work closely with individuals and organisations representing legitimate trade interests.  This results in the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit goods annually.”

“Local business where these goods may be being sold, such as in pubs, need to remember that they can also be prosecuted if they knowing allow the sale of counterfeit goods on their premises".

Knowsley Council is issuing the following advice to avoid buying fake, or counterfeit, goods:-

  • Be suspicious about bargains - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
  • Find out if you have any guarantees or after-sales service
  • Examine the quality of the goods
  • Check labels and packaging for mis-spellings and poor logos

take extra care at street markets, car boot sales, pubs and computer fairs, or in other situations where it may be more difficult to get in touch with the trader after the purchase

For further advice or if you would like to report counterfeit goods being sold in your community, call Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health & Consumer Protection Team on 0151 443 4713.