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Matsushita launches drive against fake goods

Recently, the company through a global brand unification campaign replaced the National brand name with Panasonic for all home appliance products.

However, MEI still holds exclusive ownership of the National brand name and trademark in the AGCC countries and both the National and Panasonic brand names are duly and legally registered with MEI. Therefore, any unauthorised production, sale or trade of goods or packaging in a manner identical with or deceptively similar to the trademarks or copyrights is illegal.

The company has also initiated discussions with the governments of several countries to explore ways in which they can cooperate to tackle sales and production of counterfeit electronic brands.

MEI plans to issue warning letters to exporters, importers, traders, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers, threatening legal prosecution and severe punishment to offenders in these countries.

Commenting on the campaign, Masahisa Miyazaki, general manager of Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE based in Dubai said, "Panasonic has launched this campaign primarily to protect consumers from deceptive products being sold under our brand name. An assurance on quality control is part of Panasonic's commitment to customers, and we wish to educate customers on the pitfalls of not being aware while purchasing imitation goods. On the other hand, distributors also have an ethical responsibility to deal only in genuine goods and prevent customer from buying counterfeit products."

He added: "In the UAE, we are working closely with Dubai CID, Customs and the Departments of Economic Development in Dubai and Sharjah, who actively campaign against violators of anti-piracy laws, to take strong action against the culprits."