DOHA: Thousands of counterfeit Stanley Black & Decker products were seized during recent raids by Alpha International for Intellectual Property, a Qatari Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement firm, and the Ministry of Business and Trade.
Raids were conducted following tip-offs from the company and the UAE-based IP enforcement firm, The Legal Group (TLG). The move aimed at combating trade in counterfeit products and protecting consumer rights. Among the products seized were Stanley branded spirit levels, aviation snips and chalk lines as well as DEWALT and Black & Decker branded cutting discs.
Youssef Al Suwaidi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the ministry, said, “The Qatar Government is continuing efforts with collective expertise to secure consumer rights and revenues of manufacturers by cracking down on criminals that prosper from the grey market.
“Eliminating the trade of imitation brands in industrial tools and products requires cooperation from purchasers and end-users, coupled with smarter strategies by manufacturers and distributors to tackle criminals involved.
“In Qatar, the import and distribution of counterfeit products are illegal, and whoever is found involved in counterfeiting products and trading will be subject to stringent legal procedures and penal action. Any counterfeit products recovered in raids will be confiscated and destroyed.
“The ministry promotes a proven and secure system to protect rights of consumers and revenues of manufacturers, with zero tolerance to this illegal business in this country.
“We will implement more technologies and expertise that can make a real impact on the war against trading counterfeit products,” he added.
A spokesperson from Stanley Black & Decker MEA said the ministry’s prompt action sends out a clear message that authorities will not tolerate counterfeits or cheap imitations, which not only damage the owner’s brand reputation but also make consumers victims of fraudulence.
“We are grateful to officials at the ministry for being so cooperative and without whom the raids would never have been possible.
“We are going to continue the fight against counterfeits to help protect consumers and our brands in Qatar,” he added. The Peninsula
