Stockport Counterfeiters have been fined after a Stockport business was found selling counterfeit clothing items on Amazon.
In partnership with the Greater Manchester Police and Warner Brothers, Stockport Council’s Trading Standards conducted an investigation into local businesses selling clothing bearing registered trademarks such as Batman, Superman and various other Disney trademarks.
Clothing items were seized from a storage unit located on Earl Road, Heald Green, Stockport. Warrants were also executed at addresses in Handforth, Poynton and Hazel Grove where a number of computers were seized and later forensically examined.
A lengthy investigation was conducted which resulted in three people being charged with 21 counts in relation to the possession and sales of the counterfeit clothing under Trade Marks Act 1994, Sections 92 (1) (b) (c).
All three defendants were subject to a Proceeds of Crime investigation whereby the judge confiscated £19,454.26 from Adrian Butterworth and the same amount from his wife Lisa Butterworth. Anthony Langan was handed a confiscation order for the sum of £11,613.83. Costs were awarded to Stockport Council to the sum of £21,200.00
Councillor Sheila Bailey, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:
“This is an excellent result and follows on from a detailed investigation by the Council’s Trading Standards Team. Sellers of counterfeit clothing undermine legitimate local businesses and can mislead consumers into believing that they have purchased a genuine product when this is not the case. We will continue to take robust action against persons supplying counterfeit goods in Stockport.”
Members of the public are asked to report any instances of counterfeit sales to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.