Wokingham

Wokingham District Council is sending a clear warning that selling counterfeit DVDs isn’t worth it after trading standards officers successfully prosecuted a trader operating locally.

Mr Teja Singh Basran of Ealing was today (Wednesday August 16) sentenced to a six-month community order and ordered to pay £750 costs after he pleaded guilty at Maidenhead Magistrates’ court to:

· Nine offences under the Video Recordings Act 1984
· Four offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994

In August 2005, Wokingham trading standards officers visited Swallowfield car boot sale (off the A33 Basingstoke Road). Officers carried out a test purchase from Mr Basran of three DVDs which they suspected to be counterfeit. Subsequently, Mr Basran’s stall and vehicle were searched, as was his address in Ealing, London, and further suspected counterfeit DVDs were seized, around 6,000 in total.

Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court today gave permission for the forfeiture of the seized DVDs and Wokingham District Council will now send these for recycling.

Trading standards enforcement officer Alonso Ercilla said: “It is important that both buyers and sellers recognise that trading counterfeit DVDs just isn’t worth it. Members of the public buying the DVDs are likely to end up with poor quality goods and traders could well end up in court!”

“Anyone who thinks that they may have bought counterfeit DVDs locally, or think they know of somewhere selling counterfeit goods is welcome to call for advice from Wokingham District Council’s trading standards on (0118) 974 6400.”

Wokingham District Council