Party’s Over: More than 1,900 Karaoke Machines Seized by CBP

Devices Seized at LA/Long Beach Seaport Contained Counterfeit SD (San Disk) Logo

Los Angeles - U.S. Customs and Border Protection import specialists and officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport discovered and seized 1,932 karaoke machines bearing counterfeit San Disk markings with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $964,068.

CBP import specialists and officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport discovered and seized 1,932 karaoke machines.

CBP officers seized the karaoke machines on May 16, after import specialists confirmed with the trademark holder that the SD logo was counterfeit. The shipment, with an estimated domestic value of $852,368, arrived via a sea container from China.

“CBP enforcement actions at Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport continue to yield outstanding results. We have an ongoing commitment that is focused towards intercepting shipments containing merchandise in violation of protected trademarks before they reach the consumer,” said CBP Acting Director of Los Angeles Field Operations Carlos Martel.

The importation of merchandise with counterfeit trademarks is prohibited. Importers violating these laws may be subject to civil penalties and criminal prosecution. CBP maintains a vigilant stance in intercepting illegal shipments that introduce infringing merchandise into the country.

CBP’s strategic approach to intellectual property rights enforcement is multi-layered and includes seizing fake goods at our borders, pushing the border outward through audits of infringing importers and cooperation with our international trading partners, and partnering with industry and other government agencies to enhance these efforts.

In fiscal year 2010, CBP at Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport accomplished a record breaking year with 863 trade seizures with a domestic value exceeding $34 million. This is a 42 perent increase in the number of seizures from fiscal year 2009.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.