NBI seizes fake NBA basketballs

Some P2 million worth of fake basketballs with NBA logos were seized by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a raid of a store yesterday in Binondo, Manila.

Raided was the IS 47-49 General Merchandise located at Stall W-51, on the third floor, of the 168 Shopping Mall on Sta. Elena street in Binondo, Manila.

Seized during the raid were 1,086 counterfeit NBA-brand basketballs. The NBI said the owners of the store now face charges of trademark infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Act.

According to the NBI, the store was placed under surveillance after NBA Properties Inc., which owns the NBA brand, filed a complaint.

After confirming that the store was engaged in the sale of basketballs bearing the fake NBA brand, agents of the NBI secured a search warrant from Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr. of the Manila Regional Trial Court and conducted the raid. – Mike Frialde