1615-JB-17 Conviction

On 6 September 2017, Ghulam Maroof KARMI of Craven Park, London, NW10, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court charged with four (4) offences of selling counterfeit goods contrary to Section 92 of The Trademarks act 1994. He pleaded guilty to all matters and was sentenced to a 12 Month Conditional Discharge and ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs.

The case was brought by TM Eye as a private criminal prosecution on behalf of its clients Louis Vuitton and Apple.

KARMI operated a criminal enterprise selling a wide variety of fake goods from a shop premises at 226 Camden High Road, London. TM Eye undercover operatives attended the premises and purchase counterfeit items on 21 June 2017, 22 June 2017 and 5 July 2017. The test purchases were evidenced on covert camera and formed the basis for the prosecution and conviction.

KARMI sold counterfeit goods from a wide variety of brands. No enforcement action was taken in relation to these other luxury brands and these goods were not seized.

TM Eye Director David Mckelvey said…

“This conviction follows a a dedicated enforcement operation by TM Eye in the Camden area to protect its clients brands. Operation PREFIX has resulted in a large number of convictions in and around the Camden area and has seen dramatic reductions in the open sale of fake goods that impact on TM Eye’s clients intellectual property rights.

TM Eye will robustly protect its clients brands and prosecute anyone who sells fake goods that infringe those brands. TM Eye always liaises with Camden Trading Standards, the Intellectual Property Office Intelligence Hub and works closely with Camden Borough police to enforce the law in this area. We do not simply raid premises, which has little or no impact, we gather evidence and prosecute in the criminal courts to ensure that those involved are brought to justice. The risk of imprisonment and confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act has a real impact. The criminals involved either stop trading or sell fake goods of brands that do not protect the sale of fake goods that infringe their brand. TM Eye brings real outcomes to the criminals involved.

Karmi will now have a conviction recorded on the Police National Computer, have his fingerprints, DNA and photograph taken and recorded on police databases. Should he re offend he will face a prison sentence.”