Oki files third complaint against Turkish counterfeiter

A third criminal complaint against an owner of a Turkish company, based in Beykoz, allegedly involved in the assembly of counterfeit consumables for Oki printers, has been filed by Oki, which specialises in business printing solutions.

In late 2002, approximately 7,500 counterfeit Oki ribbons and 2,000 counterfeit holograms were seized from a trading concern in Beykoz. The owner is being criminally prosecuted and the case is expected to come for trial shortly in the Turkish courts.

However, it appears that a close relative of the owner continued with counterfeit activity and as a result in August 2004 further premises were raided, again in Beykoz, and 48,000 counterfeit Oki ribbon cassette casings were seized. As a result a further criminal prosecution is now proceeding in the Intellectual Property Criminal Court.

In January this year information was obtained confirming that despite the action taken, alleged counterfeit activity was continuing. Search and seizure warrants were granted to raid three premises in Beykoz. Police raids then took place on 12th January and over 20,000 pieces of counterfeit Oki products and packaging were seized.

Oki has zero tolerance of counterfeit activity, which is a serious criminal offence, and one said to be associated with organised crime and the illegal drug trade. Oki actively takes steps to obtain evidence against counterfeiters and then fully support subsequent police raids and prosecutions. On conviction, Oki presses for the maximum sentences to be imposed.