Man found with
counterfeit CDs given suspended sentence
A Plaistow man has been given a
six month suspended sentence after being found in possession of
counterfeit CDs by top selling artists.
Billy Mehra, 36, was also given 50 hours community
service after a court found him guilty of possessing four sample
counterfeit versions of Avril Lavigne, Take That, Mariah Carey and
50 Cent CDs with a view to distributing them for profit.
Inner London Crown Court heard that duplicating equipment to
manufacture counterfeit CDs and DVDs was also found in what became
a joint raid at his home in 2007 by Newham Council trading
standards and the Metropolitan Police.
The CDs, which infringed the Trade Marks Act 1994, had fake
trademarks which were likely to be mistaken for registered trade
marks.
The court also placed a forfeiture and destruction order on all of
the CDs found in his possession and the duplicating equipment found
at his home.
Mehra, of Northern Road, pleaded not guilty and opted for trial by
jury.
He told the court that the counterfeit CDs were for playing at his
stall and that they were not for sale.
Councillor Andrew Baikie, executive member for housing, process
& business efficiency said after the case: "Anyone who thinks
they can make an easy profit by selling counterfeit goods will find
themselves facing prosecution."
"We need to protect the livelihood of reputable Newham traders who
operate within the law from unfair competition from those who
operate outside it."