A fancy dress shop owner who was fined £6,000 for selling counterfeit costumes has issued a warning to other retailers sourcing product from overseas.
Amir Liaquat, owner of Fancy Dress Mart in Walthamstow, was issued with the fine last month when he pleaded guilty to offences under the Trademarks Act at Thames Magistrates Court.
Amir was found in possession of hundreds of fake costumes when Waltham Forest Council Trading Standards’ officers visited him last year, during the run-up to Halloween.
He had purchased the superhero costumes over the internet from a wholesaler in China and claims he had no idea they were fake.
“It was a silly mistake and I am embarrassed,” he said. “What I would say to anyone in this business is to consider carefully where you get your stock from and do lots of research like I wished I had done.”
Amir is now considering closing his business, saying: “I have not only lost hundreds of costumes and been fined but my reputation has been damaged. It has been a huge loss for me.”
“If I have to close down I would not just be sad, I would be shattered because I work so hard and all my efforts would be wasted. I can’t afford to pay the fine at all. I don’t know what I am going to do.”
Mike O’Connell, head of IP and antipiracy at Rubie’s commented on the story, saying: “Mr Liaquat’s warning should not be taken lightly, anyone caught selling counterfeit costumes online or instore maybe subject to the same, similar or more serious enforcement action.”
“The maximum sentence available for trademark infringement is 10 years imprisonment,” he continued. “Rubie’s investigators and lawyers are active throughout the world – helping to clean up the industry and restore sales to genuine retailers.”
The counterfeit costumes, which included Supergirl and Harry Potter designs, were £10 from China. They cost around £14 when purchased via the official channels.
