NBI seizes P2-million fake Louis Vuitton goods

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized some P2 million worth of fake Louis Vuitton bags and wallets during raids on several outlets in Mandaluyong City recently.

The agents raided several stalls at a mall at the corner of Julia Vargas Avenue and Bank Drive, confiscating 128 bags and 128 wallets.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said a representative from Louis Vuitton filed a complaint before the agency to investigate the proliferation of fake bags and wallets bearing the trade name Louis Vuitton.

The owners and operators of the raided establishments face charges of unfair competition and trademark infringement.

In another development, NBI agents seized counterfeit New Era caps worth P100 million during simultaneous raids in Manila and Pasay cities last Wednesday.

The raids stemmed from a complaint of the distributor of New Era caps in the country. The New Era Cap Company located in Buffalo, New York, is a headwear manufacturer. 

New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of the official on-field cap worn by every major league baseball team and their minor league affiliates, and maintains agreements with other licensed entities and over 200 colleges and universities in the United States.

The agents raided stalls, sales outlets and the stockroom of R. R. Toribio General Merchandise, Chen Zhi Gong and Gong Dong Liang at the Baclaran Terminal Plaza Mall in Pasay City and Binondo, Manila and seized 42,436 caps.           – Sandy Araneta