Batley phone shop in Court
Thursday 8 June
On the 1st June 2023, Fone Den Plus Ltd from Batley and the sole director, Hama Amin Wahab Zahid from Huddersfield appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court for sentencing in relation to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
Fone Den Plus Ltd of Batley Enterprise Centre, Bradford Road, Batley had previously pleaded guilty to five charges in relation to goods seized by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS). These goods included 27 black travel adaptors bearing the Samsung trademark; 214 pairs of earphones bearing the Samsung trademark; 119 mobile phone backs bearing the Samsung trademark; 109 screens bearing the Samsung trademark and 21 leather cases bearing the Apple trademark contrary to the Trade Marks Act 1994.
Fone Den Plus Ltd was fined £3333.00 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £190.00 and pay costs of £1748.23.
Hama Zahid of Peridot Fold, Fartown, Huddersfield had previously pleaded guilty to two charges in relation to goods seized by WYTSS, Mr Zahid was given a 12-month Community Order and ordered to carry out 40 hours unpaid work and he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £95.00 and costs of £1165.49.
On the 1st of September 2021 officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) accompanied by trademark representatives carried out an inspection at Fone Den Plus, Ltd, Unit 402 Batley Enterprise Centre, 513 Bradford Road, WF17 8LL. A large number of items was seized (58 evidence bags in total). Various products were examined by the brand representatives and all items examined were confirmed to be counterfeit.
The Magistrates expressed their concerns regarding counterfeit products and the risk to consumer safety. Counterfeit products are not put through the same rigorous testing that legitimate manufacturers apply to their products to ensure they are safe.
Councillor Habiban Zaman, Member of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee, which oversees the work of Trading Standards said, “sales of counterfeit goods of this type pose serious risks to the community. Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime, it takes money from the legitimate economy, and places it in shadow economy, and rips off consumers and honest businesses.”
David Strover, Trading Standards Manager - Business Service Team said, “this operation is part of ongoing activities to marginalise the supply of counterfeit electrical goods in West Yorkshire. We are always concerned about the supply of counterfeit goods, but it is especially concerning where electrical items, toys, cosmetics and food are subjected to counterfeiting and supplied in West Yorkshire, as the relevant safety regulations are often totally ignored.”
Consumers wanting to report illegal trading practices, including the sale of unsafe and counterfeit items can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 to report their concerns - this can be done anonymously.