Baltimore County police officers have just finished serving a series of search warrants on about 16 dealers suspected of selling counterfeit goods at the North Point Flea Market in Dundalk.
Using funds from the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement Program, officers initiated an investigation after complaints were received about the fake goods, according to Cpl. Cathy Batton, a spokesman for the Baltimore County Police Department.
Detectives worked with representatives from the Recording Industry Association of America, the Motion Picture Association of America, Stumar Investigations and Walters Investigative Services (trademark representatives for many major brand names for several months to gather evidence, according to a statement issued by Batton.
Police allege that vendors have sold counterfeit Nike, Apple, North Face, Polo, Ugg, True Religion and Timberland goods at the flea market in the 2400 block of Old North Point Road.
Detectives also bought counterfeit movies and music recordings from various stands, Batton said.
Detectives shut down the market Saturday morning while the warrants were being served to ensure all vendors remained on the scene and that no evidence could be removed before seizure, according to Batton.
The seized merchandise will be evaluated by trademark experts and charges are pending against vendors found to be selling counterfeit goods.
The investigation is ongoing, according to Batton.
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Feel so much safer now.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/business/worldbusiness/12iht-fake.4569452.html?_r=0 Means to an end ya know. Like Al Capone and tax fraud. Didn't seem like much but was enough.
"The real thing is so overpriced," she added. "Why spend thousands of dollars when you can get one for much, much less." Our government is selling deadly weapons and aircraft to many of the same countries....They need to re focus and lead by example...this type of waste is the reason for many problems,even at this local level...If it gets through customs...the market will always be there...hurting no one any more than the government does...think about it..
Sorry, nobody is getting hurt in this. Nobody is having their property destroyed. Phony Timberland boots - who cares!!
It was the county police along with federal agents that was involved. Plus I know some of the officers involved.
"..What are the qualifications of a "trademark expert" ?.." Most people who have been shown the difference between a genuine product and a faked version quickly see the difference. Trademark experts are trained and tested and passed the test. And most of us could easily be trained to spot counterfeit goods. People pay less for counterfeit goods, but do they get their money's worth? If you feel that the originals are overpriced, don't buy them. People buy knockoffs because some people think that counterfeit goods are as fashionable and well made as originals, but they are wrong. People who do sport original goods can often spot a fake across a crowded room. If you know for certain that Walmart, or anyone else, is selling counterfeit goods, than report it and possibly receive a cash reward - from the corporation who's goods were copied or the government. Or just do it to be a good citizen. REPORT IT TO THE RIPPED-OFF MANUFACTURER! Governments do a lot - on a HUGE scale - that I am opposed to, too. But I'm against waiting to stop counterfeiters until after all of our country's most major problems are ended. Counterfeiting is a major problem to the talented, dedicated people who work hard to create and produce quality goods that get knocked off as cheap stuff.
Speaking of undocumented issues, I wonder how many illegal aliens these fearless lawmen have they passed right by on their way to Dunkin Donuts or 7-11? I know many complaints have been made of those pandering at Home Depot. I wonder why they are never arrested? Enforce all the laws Barney Fife!