VietNamNet Bridge - Viet An Trade Joint-stock Company, commonly known as VIIS via TV shopping programs, was found on Wednesday trading in copycats by using the brands of commodities whose copyrights are protected in Vietnam.
The HCMC Market Monitoring Agency, acting on tips from another trader, last night stormed into the company’s headquarters at 201 Nguyen Van Thu Street in the city’s District 1 and found numerous fake products there. The company specializes in selling products via cable TV channels under the name of VIIS-Let Home Shopping, and became the second TV shopping company to be caught red-handed trading in copycats and phony products after Happy Shopping in March.

Initial investigations at the company showed numerous products – from foot-massage machines and sleeping bags to food grinders – bearing the trademark of As Seen on TV that has been registered in Vietnam by another trader. Market monitors were still counting the quantity of each type of copycat.

Le Lan, a trade officer of the company, told the Daily at the scene on Wednesday that the merchandises sealed with the ‘As Seen on TV’ label belonged to the first shipment imported from China a week ago, and none had been sold to consumers.

The products were imported via official channels, with all legitimate customs papers, she said.

“We did not know that the products (with the above-said label) had been registered in Vietnam so we imported the goods. We only learn of the infringement upon market monitors’ inspection,” she said.

The trade officer added her company was also selling other products including food items and household appliances via Binh Duong Television’s BTV3 channel only, instead of three or four channels earlier.

In March, market monitors had inspected Happy Shopping headquartered in Go Vap District, and found the company selling fake and smuggled products on pay TV channels. The HCMC government last week decided to impose a fine of over VND450 million on the company and confiscate all the illegal products.

Source: SGT