Commercial Branch

COUNTERFEIT GOODS GROUP

BACKGROUND

The Counterfeit Goods desk deals with infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. The Intellectual Property Rights is a term used to describe the protection of brands and innovations around the world. The Counterfeit Goods Act, Copyright Act, Merchandise Marks Act, Films and Publication Act and the Patents Act form part of the Intellectual Property Rights and are investigated by the Counterfeit Goods Team.
There are two investigation teams in Gauteng Province that are responsible for the investigation of these Acts; one in Johannesburg Commercial Branch and the other one in Pretoria Commercial Branch. There are also Counterfeit Goods investigation teams in other cities like Cape Town and Durban.

MODUS OPERANDI OF CRIMES

The brands are constantly counterfeited and sold at a low price as compared to the original items. This include DVDs, CDs for music, clothing apparel of popular Brands such as NIKE, REEBOK, and many more. These fake goods are sold mostly by hawkers in the streets. Some flea markets and shops also deal in counterfeit goods.

These goods are either brought in the country from overseas countries or are manufactured in the country. The suspects are mostly foreign nationals.

CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE DESK

The crimes as well as operations are coordinated from the Head Office at office number : 012 393 1200, fax 012 393 1202. The Commander of the Counterfeit Investigation desk at Johannesburg is Captain PC Kubheka at the office 011 870 5300 and cell number 083 507 8748.
Pretoria Investigation team Captain E Meyer at office number 012 401 3349 and cell number 084 406 1592.

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