An online trader who sold counterfeit branded clothing has been found guilty of offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 following an investigation by Dorset Council Trading Standards.
James Goodwin was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on 9 December. He had pleaded guilty to six specimen offences at an earlier hearing. Costs were also awarded to the council of £1,689 and a £90 victim surcharge was imposed.
Trading standards officers made test purchases from Goodwin’s business, jjckids, following a complaint. The business, which was selling goods online via Amazon and eBay, was found to be selling unauthorised copies of registered trademarks including Star Wars, Harry Potter and Disney.
During an interview, he admitted that some of the items had been imported, while others he had printed off him she printed some of the items himself and some he had imported. During the period of the investigation, officers found that the retail value of equivalent legitimate stock to that sold by Goodwin was £40,000.
The bench heard that Goodwin had co-operated throughout and ceased trading as soon as he became aware of the investigation.
Richard Herringshaw, Principal Trading Standards Officer at Dorset Council, said: “Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. Counterfeiters can undermine legitimate businesses, avoid tax and provide inferior goods. The trading standards service will take appropriate action where it is found to be happening in Dorset.”
£40k worth and community service. Shocking.