Oakley Bags Major Counterfeit Operation in Bangkok.FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 1999-- Working closely with law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). in Bangkok, Thailand, Oakley Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :OO), successfully raided a factory and warehouse operated by South East Optic Co. Ltd. on August 10 and seized a large quantity of counterfeit Oakley products, along with equipment and supplies used in their production. In the raid, the company seized approximately 24,000 glasses and parts necessary for additional counterfeit Oakley products. Equally as important as finished goods, enforcement officials confiscated con·fis·cate tr.v. con·fis·cat·ed, con·fis·cat·ing, con·fis·cates 1. To seize (private property) for the public treasury. 2. To seize by or as if by authority. See Synonyms at appropriate. adj. over 45 specially designed machines and equipment used in the manufacture of counterfeit products including those that injection mold, weld, join parts, cut lenses, emboss, and apply trademarks. "This was a very sophisticated operation, with the means to develop bogus eyewear from raw material to finished product," said Bill Schmidt Bill Schmidt (born 29 December, 1947) was an American athlete who competed mainly in the javelin throw. He competed for the United States in the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany in the javelin throw where he won the bronze medal. , Oakley's chief executive officer. "Shutting down this operation is just one part of our intense, ongoing efforts to protect our intellectual property around the world. This marks the first time we have successfully raided a manufacturing operation outside the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Oakley has a long history of identifying and taking strong legal action against individuals and retailers who engage in patent infringement patent infringement n. the manufacture and/or use of an invention or improvement for which someone else owns a patent issued by the government, without obtaining permission of the owner of the patent by contract, license or waiver. and counterfeiting activities. So far in 1999, these efforts have resulted in the recovery of more than 1.4 million units of bogus product and the arrest of over 150 individuals. Through these relentless efforts, we are sending a clear message to counterfeiters that we will not tolerate any operation that threatens the integrity of the Oakley brand and the trust placed in our products by consumers. We have an extensive network of intelligence agents in the field and, with the support of law enforcement agencies, will continue to pursue and prosecute those engaged in these criminal activities, wherever they may be." Kriengkrai Kangsadan-Senanon, managing director of South East Optics Co. Ltd., was arrested and both he and his company were charged with criminal trademark forgery. Oakley believes the counterfeit goods were being sold in Thailand as well as exported to other markets around the world. Released after posting bail, Kandsadan-Senanon faces penalties that could include imprisonment Imprisonment See also Isolation. Alcatraz Island former federal maximum security penitentiary, near San Francisco; “escapeproof.” [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 218] Altmark, the German prison ship in World War II. [Br. Hist. and monetary fines. Documentation found at the raid also implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. other suppliers in Bangkok and the People's Republic People's Republic n. A political organization founded and controlled by a national Communist party. of China whom Oakley intends to investigate as possible participants in the counterfeiting activities. Oakley -- a world brand -- integrates science and art to create high-performance products. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading sunglasses, the company now also offers an expanding line of footwear, apparel and accessories to consumers in over 70 countries. Trailing-12-month revenues through June 30, 1999 totaled $242 million. |
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