Singapore Customs seizes over 5,000 bags of trademark-infringing rice

Singapore Customs seized over 5,000 bags of rice weighing about 129 tonnes at Pasir Panjang Terminal on Thursday (Nov 24) from a shipment imported from India to Singapore, it said in a press release on Friday. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
Singapore Customs seized over 5,000 bags of rice weighing about 129 tonnes at Pasir Panjang Terminal on Thursday (Nov 24) from a shipment imported from India to Singapore, it said in a press release on Friday. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS

SINGAPORE - Singapore Customs seized over 5,000 bags of rice weighing about 129 tonnes at Pasir Panjang Terminal on Thursday (Nov 24) from a shipment imported from India to Singapore, it said in a press release on Friday.

The bags of rice were suspected to be counterfeit goods infringing a Singapore-registered trademark. The proprieter of the trademark lodged a notice with Singapore Customs to object to the importation of the goods pursuant to Section 82 of the Trade Marks Act.

Subsequently, Singapore Customs intercepted five 20-foot containers, which were carrying the shipment of over 5,000 bags of rice weighing about 129 tonnes at the Pasir Panjang Terminal.

Singapore Customs seized the rice after an inspection revealed that their packaging bore a sign similar to the registered trademark in question.

The trademark proprietor confirmed the rice to be counterfeit goods and is in the process of taking legal action against the importer of the goods.

Singapore Customs works with rights holders, the trading community and relevant government agencies as the authority responsible for border enforcement of intellectual property rights.

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