NBI seizes fake Lacoste apparel in Greenhills

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) scored anew in their intensified campaign against counterfeit products with the confiscation of some P2.6 million worth of fake Lacoste products from stalls at a popular shopping center in San Juan.

Following intelligence reports on the sale of fake apparel, NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) headed by lawyer Jose Justo Yap conducted a raid on 13 stores at the Greenhills Shopping Center last Oct.26.

The stalls were identified as: 8 Brothers, Judalyn Fashion, Jin-Len Gen. Merchandisers, Micalma, Pat and Pink Collection, Amirham, M.I. Enterprises, JTP RTW, MNCV, R.N. Villena Collection, Diane For, Hat en Bams and NVP 58.

More than 7,500 pieces of fake Lacoste clothing apparel were seized in the raid.

Yap said they immediately secured a search warrant from Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr. after confirming the reports.

Charges of violation of R.A. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Rights Code of the Philippines, are now being readied against the owners of the stalls.

La Chemise Lacoste S.A. Corp., producer of the Lacoste brand products, has sought the help of the government against those who imitate their products.

In response, the NBI intensified its campaign against manufacturers and distributors of fake Lacoste products, which resulted in the confiscation of millions worth of counterfeit products.