The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group has announced that on 24th March the Beijing Chaoyang Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC) and the Chaoyang Public Security Bureau (PSB) jointly conducted raids against an assembly and warehouse facility of the Sunshine Golf Store located at Shangxinpu, Huanggang Village, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
The owner and seven other persons were arrested by the PSB after the raid. The raids resulted in the seizure of nearly 10,000 pieces of counterfeit golf equipment, including more than 740 assembled golf clubs, 1,500 club heads, 4,700 golf grips, 2,300 shafts, 280 headcovers and assorted golf towels, golf bags and apparel.
This extensive enforcement action was conducted after complaints were filed with the respective local AIC and PSB organizations by the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group.
The seized goods were illegal copies of authentic products made by all six of the Group’s members. It is anticipated that Chinese authorities will pursue criminal prosecutions in this case.
The Group was formed in 2004 to petition governments to enforce their country’s laws against counterfeiters of golf equipment products. As a result of the Group’s petitioning efforts, dozens of successful raids of manufacturing, warehouse, assembly and retail facilities have been conducted by Chinese law enforcement and civil enforcement authorities over the past five years. Several business operators have been arrested and many have now been prosecuted in the Chinese courts.
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group consists of the world’s leading golf equipment manufacturers. Its members and brands include Acushnet Company – Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra Golf; Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) – Odyssey, Top-Flite and Ben Hogan; Cleveland Golf / Srixon; Nike Golf; PING; and TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth Golf.