NBI seizes P55 million fake luxury items

MANILA, Philippines — Over P55 million worth of counterfeit luxury bags and shoes have been confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in three cities in Metro Manila.

Two legal firms representing luxury brands Oakley, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent in the Philippines sought the help of the NBI to confiscate products bearing their trademarks without authorization.

Operatives from the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division raided AJS Online and Sarigayao Online store in Parañaque on May 6.

Seized during the raid were 1,083 pieces of fake Oakley products amounting to P3.5 million.

The NBI also seized 1,024 pieces of counterfeit Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent products from four stores in Binondo, Manila, and a warehouse in Malabon. The products cost an estimated P51.6 million.

Charges of trademark infringement and unfair competition, both punishable under Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, will be filed against the suspects.