3 Binondo stores charged with trademark infringement over fake sealants

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila City Prosecutor's Office has charged three retailers who were caught selling sealant products that are believed to be counterfeit versions at three separate locations in Binondo, Manila.

In separate resolutions, prosecutors found probable cause to charge three hardware stores with trademark infringement for selling fake Super Vulcaseal Elastomeric Sealants.

Under the law, individuals who would be found guilty of trademark infringement could be imprisoned from two to five years and fined P200,000 up to P500,000.

“We welcome this development, and we are very grateful to our customers who brought to our attention the proliferation of fake products carrying our name and brand being sold in Binondo. Rest assured that our campaign against manufacturers of counterfeit Bostik products will not relent and we will put an end to this deliberate attempt to besmirch our name, brand and reputation that we’ve built over the past years,” said Bostik Philippines.

Bostik Philippines sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation to put under surveillance three retail stores in Binondo after reports the company had received said that counterfeit products were being sold at these stores.

Acting on the request by the company, NBI agents mounted a series of surveillance operations in March where test buys were conducted separately in Divisoria shopping malls in Binondo, Manila.

After conducting separate test buys, NBI agents brought the supposed Bostik products to the company for verification. The items, which included the company’s flagship brand Super Vulcaseal Elastomeric Sealants, were determined to be counterfeit.

The Manila City Prosecutor’s Office recommended the filing of charges against the owners of three retail stores, all of whom did not show up during the preliminary investigation despite sufficient notice.

“The proliferation of counterfeit Bostik products such as Super Vulcaseal Elastomeric taint the reputation of our company, a name we have built and protected throughout the years. We are determined to protect the good name of our brands by putting an end to the operations of nefarious individuals who manufacture, distribute and retail fake Bostik products,” added Bostik Philippines.

“As these were made outside our manufacturing facilities, Bostik cannot guarantee its quality, thus jeopardizing the safety of structures where these counterfeit products were used.”