Petaling Street Is In USA’s List of Most Notorious Markets For Counterfeit Products
The USTR review listed a total of 33 physical markets and 39 online markets in 18 countries including China, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.
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For most Malaysians, visiting Petaling Street may just be equivalent to taking a step into an alternate dimension made up of food, culture and various businesses.
However, one fact that is constantly overlooked (or not) is that the market is also a haven for counterfeit items and products.
In a recent review conducted by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Petaling Street was listed among other online and physical markets as notoriously known for reportedly engaging in or facilitating substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy.
The 2022 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy listed a total of 33 physical markets and 39 online markets in 18 countries including China, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.
According to the report, Petaling Street is a “well-known market in Kuala Lumpur” that sells large volumes of counterfeit items, including watches, shoes, handbags, wallets, sunglasses, and other consumer goods.
“Although market activity has not returned to pre-pandemic levels because foreign
tourism remains depressed, the majority of goods that are currently available appear to be counterfeit,” the report said.
The report also slammed local authorities for not being proactive in conducting enforcement activity without right holders’ initiative.
“Even when right holders try to initiate enforcement activities, they report difficulties due to local favoritism and the involvement of organized crime at this market.”
The findings also revealed that the local authorities are responsive to right holder complaints only after substantial efforts from them.
“Specifically, right holders are often required to present substantial evidence prior to authorities agreeing to act,” it read.
Additionally, on the findings of its online market, e-commerce platforms such as WeChat, Shopee, and Taobao are also on the list.
Do you frequent Petaling Street? What do you think about this?
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