Patent Office Expands Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods to Major Markets Nationwide

The Patent Office is expanding its crackdown on counterfeit goods from Saebit Market to major markets nationwide.

On May 27, the Trademark Special Judicial Police Distribution Crime Investigation Team (hereinafter referred to as the Special Investigation Unit) of the Patent Office announced plans to launch intensive crackdowns to eradicate the distribution of counterfeit goods in major markets across the country, including Seoul.

Officials from the Patent Office's special investigation unit conducted a crackdown on the distribution of counterfeit goods at Saebit Market last year. Photo by the Patent Office

During April and May, the Special Investigation Unit conducted a joint operation at Saebit Market in Dongdaemun, Seoul, together with Seoul City Hall, Jung-gu District Office, and Jungbu Police Station. They booked five individuals, including a 61-year-old woman identified as A, on suspicion of violating the Trademark Act without detention, and seized 296 counterfeit items, including clothing and shoes from 36 well-known brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci.

Previously, the Patent Office conducted six rounds of crackdowns on counterfeit goods at Saebit Market in March, May, July, twice in September, and December last year. The number of counterfeit items seized in each round was 1,644 in the first, 118 in the second, 104 in the third, 1,189 in the fourth, 903 in the fifth, and 836 in the sixth. The number of individuals booked was six in the first round, four in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth, three in the fifth, and one in the sixth.

Although the distribution of counterfeit goods at Saebit Market has not been completely eradicated, the decrease in the quantity of seized items and the number of individuals booked demonstrates the effectiveness of the crackdowns. The Patent Office analyzed that the establishment of a consultative body with relevant agencies, including local governments and the police, and the continued enforcement efforts have had a positive impact on curbing the distribution of counterfeit goods.

Accordingly, the Patent Office plans to expand the scope of its crackdown on counterfeit goods, led by the Special Investigation Unit, to major markets nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. The plan is to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies in each region, as was done at Saebit Market, to track wholesale distribution networks of counterfeit goods and block supply routes.

The Patent Office will also conduct various promotional activities to help consumers recognize the illegality of purchasing counterfeit goods. This month, the Patent Office carried out an intensive intellectual property protection campaign in densely populated areas and markets in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, together with local governments, the police, Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency, and trademark holders.

Shin Sangon, Director General of the Industrial Property Protection and Cooperation Bureau at the Patent Office, stated, "The distribution of counterfeit goods not only infringes on trademark rights but also undermines national industrial competitiveness and can threaten consumer safety." He added, "The Patent Office will strive to establish a sound distribution order by building a continuous enforcement system centered on dedicated investigation teams and by conducting public awareness campaigns."