#Guiltypleacounterfeitcase

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Amazon: Turning Point, Guilty Plea in Counterfeit Case

  Unprecedented Success in the Battle Against Counterfeits

In a groundbreaking development, Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) joined forces with the Prada Group and other luxury brands to provide vital information and evidence to Chinese law enforcement. Consequently, this collaboration led to a guilty plea from a counterfeiter involved in the sale of counterfeit luxury goods, marking a significant turning point in the fight for Intellectual Property rights.   A Landmark Case Without Seized Counterfeit Products This case stands out as an exceptional milestone in the ongoing struggle against counterfeit goods. It represents an unusual scenario where a criminal referral from Amazon's CCU resulted in a criminal judgment. Importantly, this judgment was primarily based on evidence derived from overseas counterfeit sales records and fulfillment center inventory records located outside of China, rather than the typical reliance on seized counterfeit products.  

Departure from Conventional Legal Practices

Traditionally, courts issued criminal judgments when there was tangible evidence of counterfeits seized during law enforcement raids. In this case, however, the court primarily depended on information furnished by Amazon and luxury brands, including Prada.   Amazon's Early Detection and Referral to Chinese Authorities Amazon's CCU first detected the defendant's counterfeiting activities in 2021. Following rigorous internal investigations, Amazon initiated a criminal referral to the relevant regional Chinese enforcement agency, specifically the Public Security Bureau (PSB), to launch a criminal case. The court sentenced the individual to three years in prison, imposed a $25,000 fine, and will seize and destroy all proceeds acquired from the sale of counterfeit goods, along with their illicit inventory of counterfeit items.  

A Victory for Intellectual Property Protection

  Kebharu Smith, director of Amazon's CCU, stated, "The guilty plea is a significant win for Amazon's CCU, but more importantly, it's a win for all of those who share our commitment to tackling the industry-wide issue of counterfeiting. This successful result would not have been possible without the collaboration with law enforcement and luxury players such as the Prada Group. We are grateful for their support and look forward to continuing to take the fight to counterfeiters."   Francesca Secondari, Prada Group's General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer emphasized their unwavering commitment to eradicating the sale of counterfeit goods, aiming to protect their brands' integrity and ensure the high-quality standards expected by their customers. She praised the partnership with Amazon as a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against those who attempt to break the law and harm their customers.   Amazon's Ongoing Commitment to Counterfeit Prevention Amazon has deployed an array of automated protection technologies to prevent counterfeits from entering its platform. In 2022, Amazon's systems thwarted more than 800,000 attempts by bad actors to open new selling accounts before listing a single product for sale. Over 99% of listings suspected of being fraudulent or counterfeit were blocked or removed through Amazon's proactive, automated protections. Amazon continues its commitment to pursuing bad actors who seek to evade these protections and remains dedicated to upholding the integrity of its platform. In 2022, Amazon's CCU took legal action or referred over 1,300 criminals for investigation across the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and China, working closely with brands and law enforcement worldwide to hold wrongdoers accountable.   Sources: THX News & Amazon. Read the full article