Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva imposed fines totaling Rs. 600,000 on three businessmen from Pettah, Colombo, for possessing, selling, and distributing imported counterfeit perfumes bearing fake labels imitating the internationally renowned brand “Victoria’s Secret.”
The fines were imposed after the suspects pleaded guilty at the preliminary stage to charges under the Intellectual Property Act for importing, storing, selling, and distributing counterfeit perfumes, while also depriving the State of due tax revenue. The Magistrate further ordered that all counterfeit items seized in connection with the case be destroyed.
The penalties were imposed on representatives of three business establishments operating in Colombo Pettah. Appearing for the complainant, Counsel Deshan Hewavitharana, on the instructions of Sudath Perera Associates and in collaboration with the Colombo Divisional Crime Division, informed court that counterfeit products imitating the Victoria’s Secret brand are being fraudulently manufactured and distributed in several countries worldwide.
Counsel submitted that following complaints about the sale of counterfeit perfumes in Sri Lanka, which misled consumers, the Victoria’s Secret Brand Management Company of the United States had lodged a complaint. Acting on this complaint, police seized the relevant goods under a search warrant obtained from court.
He further stated that the suspects had caused financial losses to the State by undervaluing the imported counterfeit goods and evading taxes, while unlawfully profiting from the sale of substandard products that could be harmful to consumers’ skin. It was revealed that more than 400 bottles of counterfeit perfumes were seized and produced before court.
Counsel Hewavitharana also informed court that under Sections 184 and 186 of the Intellectual Property Act, trademark imitation and the manufacture, possession, and sale of counterfeit goods constitute serious offences. He requested that fines of not less than Rs. 500,000 be imposed on each suspect and noted that similar counterfeit goods had been seized from shops in the Nugegoda and Dehiwala areas.
The representatives of the accused institutions told court that they were willing to plead guilty at the initial stage to conclude the case summarily. They stated that the goods had been sold without their knowledge and appealed for leniency and the imposition of a minimum penalty.
After considering submissions from both parties, the Additional Magistrate noted that the suspects had not wasted judicial time and had pleaded guilty at the first instance. Accordingly, he imposed a fine of Rs. 200,000 on each suspect, amounting to a total of Rs. 600,000, and ordered the destruction of the seized counterfeit perfumes.
The Magistrate further directed that the progress of investigations be reported to court on January 30. Counsel Deshan Hewavitharana and Lakshani Perera appeared in court.
