GAUTENG – On Tuesday, December 7, 2023, authorities carried out search and seizure warrants at Oriental City, Old Johannesburg Road in Centurion, and Queens Corner Shopping Centre in Queenswood.
The targeted operation, conducted under the Counterfeit Goods Act, stemmed from a complaint received regarding alleged violations by a well-known business premises involved in selling or distributing counterfeit Lego products.
The identified premises had been under the scrutiny of authorities for some time, leading to a comprehensive operation involving members from the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (Head Office), brand representatives, and TOMS (Head Office).
Upon execution, a variety of toys, electronic games, equipment, and computer games bearing Lego trademarks were discovered and seized from the premises’ displays. Further investigations revealed multiple boxes of identical products, strategically placed on different aisles, all bearing the Lego trademark. Approximately 2100 units, with an estimated value of R 850,000.00, were confiscated.
Criminal and civil proceedings are set to be initiated against the implicated businesses and their respective owners.
