Crackdown on counterfeit batteries

BANGKOK: Dozens of major and minor retailers in Bangkok were found selling counterfeit brand-name batteries in recent inquiries with police, according to Japan's Sanyo Electric.

Sanyo said some 3,438 fake AA batteries were confiscated between July and October in joint operations with Economic Crime Division police. Some 75 major retailers and about 200 minor outlets were involved.

Sanyo set up an investigation team to crack down on pirated products in Thailand in July.

During raids in August, Klong Thom was found to be the major wholesale centre for counterfeit batteries. Here, the investigation team seized 476 examples from three wholesalers and 1,432 from a warehouse.

The following month, the team seized 1,530 more fakes from a Klong Thom stockroom. The range of counterfeit AA batteries included Sanyo, National, Panasonic, Sony, Aiwa and Toshiba, the company said.

Sanyo is concerned that the low-quality fakes will damage its brand image. "Tough action should be taken against all counterfeiters, who are violating the rights of brand manufacturers," Sanyo said.

Fake Sanyo batteries currently account for 10 to 20 per cent of the total counterfeit battery market in Klong Thom, it said.

Pirated batteries sell for Bt28 to Bt30 for a pack of four, while the genuine article costs as much as Bt120 to Bt200 per pack, depending on the life-span, power and brand.

Sanyo said the counterfeit products were on sale throughout Thailand, and are imported from China through Mae Sai and Chiang Rai in the North and Mukdahan in the Northeast.

--The Nation 2003-11-05

I have heard it's a booming trade.... fnar fnar

Is it a re-chargable offence ?

There's been a problem lately with that in Vnam too.

What constitutes "counterfeit" however in Asia is anybody's guess.

Mr Vietnam

Ohm many , this sort of thing hertz local counterfeiters and amperes confidence.

On 11/5/2003 at 8:35 AM, Thetyim said:

re-chargable

Watt a revolting shock, missing "e", like a failed rave.