TRADING standards officers have once more highlighted the problem of counterfeit items sold over the Internet.
This week, they secured the successful prosecution of a North-East man who set up a website of more than 900 song titles and Playstation games.
John Borthwick, of Grangetown, Teesside, pleaded guilty to offences under the Tradesmark Act when he appeared before Teesside magistrates after officers from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's trading standards department bought four titles.
He was given a conditional discharge for two years, told to forfeit his disks and computer copying equipment and pay costs of more than £2,000.
Chief trading standards officer Jeff Bell said: "Increasingly, we are finding the sale of counterfeit items such as music CDs being carried over the Internet.
"Customers should be aware that we have the means to trace sellers and will take the appropriate enforcement action in all cases where we find the sale of counterfeit merchandise of this nature."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article