The Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group announces two successful raids in Shanghai, which resulted in the seizure of more than 7,500 counterfeit golf products. The raids were made possible, in part, by information gathered from prior raids involving the Golf Group. In the last 18 months, the Golf Group has petitioned Chinese law enforcement to execute 18 raids resulting in the seizure of nearly 110,000 counterfeit golf products.
On 12 April, members of the Shanghai Public Safety Bureau (PSB) concluded a month-long investigation with simultaneous raids against two suspected counterfeit operations inShanghaiCity. Three suspects, Xue Yan, Zhai Qiang and He Tieqi, were all arrested for their roles in the counterfeiting of thousands of clubs and products. The investigation of their illegal activities began after key details were discovered during a February raid and the subsequent arrest of Zhang Qun. The most recent raids garnered nearly 4,000 pieces of finished or semi-finished golf clubs while the rest of the merchandise included balls, bags and apparel.
“These actions wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Chinese authorities and their continued investigations into these issues,” said Don Reino, Vice President of Legal Operations for Cleveland Golf. “Their support in the pursuit of these criminal activities helps send a stronger message to the counterfeiters.”
“Fighting counterfeit clubs is a long war, but we’re trying to take it one battle at a time,” said Joe Nauman, Executive Vice President for Corporate and Legal for Acushnet Company. “The counterfeiting of clubs is a global issue but raids often generate new information that leads to future arrests and protects the future of the game.”
About the Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group
The Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group consists of five of the most well-known golf companies in the world—Callaway-Odyssey; TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth; PING; Cleveland Golf, Srixon and Never Compromise; and Acushnet Company whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron. Since 2004, the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group has worked with international law enforcement and government agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public awareness of the issue. In 2011 alone, the group seized more than 80,000 counterfeit golf products.
More information about counterfeit golf clubs and products can be found at www.keepgolfreal.com