By TJ Agcaoili

A FILIPINA businesswoman and a foreign national allegedly engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit Louis Vuitton products at a popular mall in Binondo, Manila were lodged yesterday with criminal charges in a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Charged with violations of Section 168.3 (a), in relation to Section 170, of Republic Act (RA) 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, were Susan Pen and RK Chen, owners of the Susan Ladies Fashion and Accessories located at Pasilio 1K-13, Ground Floor, 168 Shopping Mall, Annex Building, Santa Elena Street, Binondo, Manila. 

In information filed by State Prosecutor Elizabeth Berdal, the accused were slapped with criminal charges for selling fake Louis Vuitton products in 168 Shopping Mall in Binondo, Manila. Bail was set at P20,000.

The complaint was filed by the American Security Systems International Inc. (ASSI), a firm engaged by Louis Vuitton Paris to conduct investigation and prosecute any cause of action, including civil and criminal, for the defense and protection of its intellectual property rights in the Philippines.

The firm employed the services of a researcher in May 2007 to investigate reports regarding the proliferation of fake Louis Vuitton products in the local market.

After conducting test-buys, one of the establishments found and identified by the market researcher to be engaged in the sale and offering for sale counterfeit Louis Vuitton products was the store owned by the two accused.

The market researcher also discovered that a big chunk of the establishment was actually owned by Chen, an alien, but had been registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) solely in the name of Peňa. It was learned Chen had played the role of being just a manager of the store, while the name of Peňa is indicated as proprietor in the official receipts issued to customers.

The establishment was raided on June 14, 2007 by operatives of National Bureau of Investigation, whose assistance was sought by ASSI.  Seized during the raid were assorted counterfeit Louis Vuitton products.

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A FILIPINA businesswoman and a foreign national allegedly engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit Louis Vuitton products at a popular mall in Binondo, Manila were lodged yesterday with criminal charges in a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).

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