CIB raids Samagi Printers over fake Disney stationery items
Wednesday, 30 April 2014 00:00
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On a complaint of intellectual property, the Special Crimes Investigation Bureau raided a printing press in Negombo and seized a large stock of alleged counterfeit Disney stationery items.
The complaint was filed by Disney Enterprises Inc of United States of America, through their legal counsel Sudath Perera Associates.
A team of officers from the Special Crimes Investigation Bureau Negombo raided a large stock of alleged Disney stationery items from an entity known as Samagi Printers.
The raid took place with search warrants issued by the Chief Magistrate Negombo A.M.N.P Amarasinghe. The Plaintiff in its actions complained that the Plaintiff is the rightful owner of the Popular Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Hannah Montana, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and several other Disney characters. It also complained its intellectual property rights are being violated by the printing operation conducted by the accused printers. At the raid, the Police seized a quantity of approximately 6,000 exercise books and other stationery with the popular Disney characters. The templates with Disney characters allegedly used at the said printing press were also taken into custody by the Police. The sale of counterfeit goods is an infringement under the Intellectual Property Act No 36 of 2003. Under the said act, if a person and/or persons are convicted, a fine up to Rs. 500,000 and up to six months imprisonment, or both may be imposed.
The matter was taken up on 22 April and the Magistrate granted bail to the accused and their passports were impounded. The Police were directed to file the Plaint on 3 June.
