P30M worth of fake Nokia phones seized

CEBU - An estimated P30 million worth of fake Nokia cellular phones and accessories were seized by the joint operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 and the Intellectual Property Rights Division in Manila from at least seven shops in the downtown area.

The simultaneous operation netted a total of 315 units of fake Nokia cell phones and assorted accessories, including batteries, charges and housing.  

Ang Cell Surge Shop, Cebu Space Enterprises, Cebu 777 Cell Shop, Cebu Neophontek Enterprises, MMHK and Yousie Marketing were raided on the strength of the search warrants issued by Judge Ramon Daomilas of the Regional Trial Court branch 11 in Cebu City for alleged violation of the intellectual property law.

A representative from Nokia who is the complainant told reporters that they will be filing charges for violation of the trademark infringement law and the intellectual property law against the owners of the raided establishments.

They will also ask the court to allow them to destroy the fake products after the termination of the case.

The Intellectual Property Rights Division operatives from Manila flew in last month to conduct surveillance operations.

According to them, they found several cell phone shops in the downtown area selling fake products but they only applied for search warrant against the big ones. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)