The Verdict Included a Fine of SR 60.000, Confiscation of Fake Parts and Defamation
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has defamed an establishment for import and wholesale of auto spare parts in Riyadh. This is after a judicial ruling has been issued against the owner of the establishment, who is found guilty of violating the trademark system by offering counterfeit products bearing registered trademarks. This is considered a violation to the intellectual property rights, as well as misleading and deceiving the consumers by claiming that such items are original.
The Ministry explains that upon finding the company guilty of possessing counterfeit auto parts forged for registered trademarks, the criminal court in Riyadh has issued a verdict imposing a fine of SR 60,000, confiscation of all counterfeit items and publishing the sentence in a local newspaper at the expense of the defendant.
The details go back when MCI judicial control officers monitored and inspected auto parts store in Riyadh, where they detected more than 5,000 pieces of fake auto air filters, forged for famous registered trademarks, namely: Hyundai, Ford and Motorcraft. Consequently, all the counterfeit quantities were seized, and the case was referred to the judicial authorities for taking the necessary legal procedures.
Notably, Article 43 of the Trademark Law stipulates that "Without prejudice to any more severe penalty, an imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine of not less than SR 50,000 and not more than one million Riyals, or by either of them, shall be imposed on any person who has forged a registered trademark, in a way to mislead or deceive the customers, also whoever used with bad intension a counterfeit or forged brand, and anyone who used in connection with his services a brand owned by others, as well as whoever offered, put up for sale, sold or acquired for the purpose of sale any products bearing false or forged trademark with his full knowledge, in addition to anyone who offered services relevant to such forged trademark with his knowledge. "
MCI would like to confirm the continuation of taking stern measures and imposing the legal penalties on anyone found guilty of storing, distributing, offering or selling counterfeit products, forged for registered trademarks. The Ministry calls on all consumers to lodge their complaints and observations through MCI Consumer Call Center (1900), or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's website.