Importer of Counterfeit Nokia Mobile Phones and Accessories Federally Prosecuted
Espoo, Finland - Resulting from a civil action pursued by Nokia Corporation and Nokia, Inc., United States District Judge Jose E. Martinez of the Southern District of Florida has found Suplimet Corporation and Hermann Lozano in contempt of a prior permanent injunction enjoining Suplimet from trafficking in counterfeit Nokia products. As part of the ruling Judge Martinez awarded Nokia damages of $ 1,360,000 against Suplimet and Lozano.
In the Federal criminal prosecution Suplimet, Lozano and Xavier Lozano, the defendant's brother, each plead guilty to trafficking in counterfeit Nokia products and were sentenced on January 31, 2006. Messrs. Lozano both received 72-month sentences and were immediately remanded to jail. Upon release both will be subject to deportation proceedings to their respective country.
With an increase in counterfeiting activities in the mobile device and accessory industry, Nokia has strengthened its anti-counterfeiting program against importers and distributors of counterfeit Nokia products. The program is part of efforts to maintain Nokia's reputation for creating and supplying high quality mobile phones and accessories and to protect consumers from counterfeit products that could be dangerous.
"Nokia will vigorously pursue counterfeiters domestically and abroad, as well as continue to work with Federal and state law enforcement to stop counterfeiting of Nokia's products," said Lucy Nichols, director, Brand Protection, Nokia. "We welcome this federal prosecution and conviction of Suplimet and Messrs. Lozano as this conviction and significant sentence highlights the seriousness of counterfeiting and the damage it does to both manufacturers and consumers alike."
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