Disney raids House of Fashion

By S.S. Selvanayagam

A team of officers of the Colombo Crime Division recently raided a large stock of counterfeit Disney products from the reputed store, House of Fashion Garments (Pvt) Ltd.

The raid was made sequent to a private plaint filed by Disney Enterprises Inc of 500, South Buena Vista Street, Burbank California 91521 United States of America. The plaint was filed through Sudath Perera Associates. The action was filed before the Magistrate S.S.K. Vithana.

The Complainant Disney Enterprises Inc (DEI) and its consolidated subsidiaries (‘Disney Group’) are a diversified worldwide entertainment group.  The Disney Group has been, through the decades, and still is, the world leader in providing wholesome, high quality children and family entertainment.

The Plaintiff in its action claimed that the Plaintiff is the rightful owner of 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 and complained that due to the actions of the accused company, the Plaintiff’s Intellectual Property rights are being violated, thus causing irreparable damage and loss to the Plaintiff.

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.