Counterfeit FAG Rolling Bearings and Packaging Brought to Light by Raids in Mumbai

2015-07-01 | 000-005-935 DE-EN

SCHAEFFLER AG, MUMBAI / SCHWEINFURT

Arrests in Indien

Counterfeit FAG Rolling Bearings and Packaging Brought to Light by Raids in Mumbai

Successful raids are an important step for Schaeffler in the fight against product piracy and thus towards the protection of customers. Four companies in Mumbai have been proved to be dealing in counterfeit FAG rolling bearings. At these production, packaging and trading firms, police have confiscated tens of thousands of counterfeit FAG packaging units, more than 500 counterfeit FAG rolling bearings as well as various machines. The proprietors have been arrested, and criminal proceedings have been instituted. The arrests also serve as a means of deterrence in counterfeiting circles.

Careful Planning and Observation

Products of the brand FAG, which is one of the leading rolling bearing brands, are highly popular with counterfeiters. The team of investigators from the agency TACT India, which safeguards our interests in India, has identified Mumbai as a central market for these counterfeit products and identified the main protagonists. Their investigations yielded sufficient information as a basis for the raids. However, the firms involved had already learned in advance of the operations and had closed their shops or moved to new storerooms. After five days of waiting and some more observation, the investigators were able to raid four firms. In a joint operation with the local policy authorities, TACT India has impounded more than 37,000 counterfeit FAG packaging units and labels, 530 counterfeit FAG rolling bearings and 250 FAG master copies as well as various grinding machines and packaging machines. Moreover, two of the proprietors and an employee were arrested and remanded in custody.

Schaeffler's Fight Against Product Piracy

In 2004, Schaeffler set up a central department for fighting product and brand piracy. A lot has happened since then. The Brand Protection Team has handled several thousand cases. And these cases are by no means restricted to Asia as in this example. There were also a large number of major counterfeiting offences in Europe and the USA. This global experience forms the basis for the constant improvement and refinement of our procedure for prosecuting violations of our brand rights. Generally, the Schaeffler Group employs a zero tolerance policy towards all cases of product and brand piracy. Our primary aim in this is to protect our customers' interests. To protect buyers and end clients procuring INA and FAG products from distributors also, Schaeffler has assessed and certified sales partners worldwide. All authorized distributors are listed on the Schaeffler website and can be checked by entering the certificate number. If there is the slightest doubt as to whether a bearing is original, the local Schaeffler sales team or the Brand Protection Team can be contacted anytime (piracy@schaeffler.com).

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