Pacific Mall management announced on Tuesday they will be conducting an internal investigation and sending warnings to store owners after a U.S. government report listed the Markham-based mall as one of the most notorious sources of pirated and counterfeit goods in the world.
In January, the predominantly Chinese-Canadian shopping centre was listed as one of 18 bricks-and-mortar locations and 25 online retailers by the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative in its annual review of so-called “notorious markets.”
The report said sales of counterfeit goods at Pacific Mall are “sprawling and pervasive” and that vendors “operate largely with impunity (as) requests for assistance from local law enforcement have reportedly gone unanswered.”
In a news release Tuesday, the mall’s management said they recently learned about the report that “suggested that some vendors in the mall are selling imitation goods.”
“We are deeply disturbed and disappointed by this news. Management takes compliance with the laws and regulations that govern the sale of goods seriously.”
Along with the internal investigation, the mall said it will be “implementing stringent internal measures to stop imitation goods from being traded or sold in the mall.”
These measures include written advisories that warn all store owners suspected of trading or selling imitation goods of possible legal consequences for engaging in such practices. The mall management said they will also partner with manufacturers and commission private investigators to identify and audit imitation goods.
The mall will also be creating a website to raise awareness amongst consumers of counterfeit goods, the news release stated.
Read the original story over at The Toronto Star.
