In Novi Pazar, a production facility was discovered in which a large quantity of counterfeit goods bearing the marks of protected trademarks of well-known global manufacturers was found, with a total value estimated at approximately RSD 13,624,820.
Members of the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate of Criminal Police – Department for Combating Crime, the Department for Combating Economic Crime and the Novi Pazar Police Department, in cooperation with the Republic Market Inspectorate, and upon the order of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Pazar, carried out an operation in which O. M. (born in 1989) from Novi Pazar was arrested on suspicion of having committed the criminal offence of unauthorised use of another person’s business name and other special designation of goods or services. Four workers who had not been registered for compulsory pension and disability insurance were also found at the premises.
The photographs published by the Ministry of Interior indicate the scale and degree of organisation of the premises, where numerous work tables, sewing machines, industrial presses for applying markings, a large quantity of textile goods, labels and other elements bearing the marks of protected trademarks were found. Based on the arrangement of the equipment and the organisation of the premises, it can be concluded that the facility was equipped as a production facility intended for the manufacture and marking of goods.
Actions of this type are particularly significant, as they address the source of the infringement itself, thereby contributing to preventing the further production, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods.
This case represents yet another confirmation of the importance of a systematic approach to the protection of intellectual property rights in Serbia and effective cooperation among the competent institutions in preventing infringements of rights and combating the circulation of counterfeit goods.
Source of the news and photographs: Ministry of Interior (MUP)
