3-Year Imprisonment, and Fines up to one Million Riyals against the Violators
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has warned against selling or marketing fake or counterfeit goods through websites and social networking, since this act is considered a violation of the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law and Trademark System, and may lead to penalties of up to three-year imprisonment and fines of up to one million riyals.
MCI calls on the owners of electronic shops and marketers in the social networking to sign up in the free e-service "Maroof", under their own trade activities, as the data of all those who sign up in this service is kept with the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, thus enhancing the reliability and credibility of the traders’ activities and products.
Notably, “Maroof” provides evaluation service of the electronic stores in the Kingdom, and their quality, and presents the opinions of dealers and clients on such stores. This service makes it easy to access each consumer.
MCI asked firmly the social networking marketers to ensure the availability of the Commercial Registration of the party wishing to market his products on line or he has already signed up through “Maroof” e-service, thus to ensure and preserve the rights of buyers.
The number of stores signed up in "Maroof" e-service reached about 15 thousand electronic stores, including various activities: e-marketing, electronic solutions, organizing events and parties, electronics, women's accessories, design, furniture and decoration, kitchen, real estate, cars and others.
“Maroof” e-service enhances the trust among the buyer, seller and marketer. It does enable the seller to easily access a larger number of customers, also it provides a clear image of the e-store quality, through the customers’ feedback, comments and evaluation, as well as it does enable the buyer to write his comments on the merchant page, besides evaluating the purchasing experience and reviewing the comments and experiences of other clients. This e-service also gives the seller an opportunity to market his electronic-shop on line at various "Maroof" platforms. In addition, “Maroof” enables the online storeowner to add all his accounts in the social media, his website and his contact numbers to his page at “Maroof” e-service, thus it is easier for the buyers to access and contact him.
"Maroof" e-service preserves the rights of the consumers, where it is possible to lodge a complaint, in case of any commercial fraud, by contacting the Consumer Call Center (1900) or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report via the smart phones.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Commerce and Investment grants the establishments, wishing to sell and market electronic products on line, Commercial Registrations, in the field of e-commerce and e-marketing activities. Consequently, the CR holders will get “Maroof” E-Certificate.
It is worth mentioning that “Maroof” is an electronic free service that ensures the confidentiality of its users' data. It takes only a few seconds to sign up through the website:
www.maroof.sa. Besides, “Maroof” application is currently available to users via smart devices on “Apple” Store as well as “Google Play ".