The customs and the police officers of Khanty-Mansiysky Autonomous Region Yugra conducted five inspections of retail stores in Surgut, Nefteyugansk, and Kogalym in November 2011 in order to prevent sales of pirated products. As a result, 125 counterfeit items were confiscated, the spokesperson for Ural Customs Administration reports.

The confiscated items comprised ‘Adidas’ sportswear and footwear as well as ‘Hugo Boss’ colognes. All the suspicious-looking items were withdrawn for an expert examination. The results of this examination will determine whether administrative or criminal action should be taken.

Khanty-Mansiysky Customs warns that illegal use of somebody else’s trademark, service mark, place of origin information or similar marks is liable to prosecution in accordance with Article 14.10 of the Russian Federation Administrative Offense Code or Article 180 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code.

In fact, 13 criminal lawsuits and 32 administrative offense lawsuits have been instituted in relation to these incidents since the beginning of the year.