‘Cocomelon’ candies seized in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines — Fake “Cocomelon” candies worth nearly P1 million were seized in a raid on a warehouse in Tondo, Manila last week by the National Bureau of Investigation.

The NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division raided the premises of MBK Distribution Inc. along Bambang street after a Manila court issued search warrants based on evidence gathered through surveillance and test-buy operations.

The seized items include 111 boxes of Cocomelon tattoo gum and 201 boxes of Cocomelon long mallows.

Authorities said the products were fake and posed health risks, noting that the items bore the protected Cocomelon trademark.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by Orion Support Inc. on behalf of Treasure Studios Inc., the global owner of the Cocomelon brand, which is registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

The complaint, filed on May 26, alleged the unauthorized use of the Cocomelon name on candies, yogurt and other children’s products.

The NBI said criminal charges would be filed against the owners of MBK for violating Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Code.