Update:
L-Acoustics today released a press release announcing that they have tracked down five counterfeiters who were found guilty and given prison sentences. Full release below:
In partnership with Chinese authorities, L-Acoustics was recently involved with tracking down five counterfeiters who were subsequently found guilty and sentenced to jail for producing and selling counterfeit L‑Acoustics loudspeakers in China. The suspects were arrested, and a batch of counterfeit signs, molds, and other items was seized in Shiji Town, Guangzhou. A public hearing was held in The People’s Court of Panyu District where the suspects presented their defense against the filed physical and documentary evidence, expert opinions, witness testimonies, and the victim’s statements.
The court found the suspects guilty of counterfeiting a registered trademark and were initially sentenced to at least one year in prison, fined, and their activity suspended for varying years. Since probation for similar activities had been revoked in previous cases, the counterfeiters ended up with prison sentences of up to three years.
L-Acoustics loudspeakers are in high demand by artists worldwide, making the brand rider-friendly. It’s no surprise that people want to create copycats to profit from its renowned reputation. However, these counterfeits pose enough dangers to make people think twice about that cheap price tag. Aside from the risk of prison sentences, various safety risks are associated with deploying untested and uncertified counterfeits.
Deployed fake L-Acoustics sound systems will not deliver the same performance as their originals and expose operators and the public to hazardous safety risks and even more severe legal liabilities if an accident occurs. There’s also the risk of a safety inspection from local authorities during a show. A lack of genuine certification of conformity can cause authorities to shut down a show or production altogether.
“To protect the company IP and our partners, not to mention users’ safety, we have dedicated significant financial and human resources to act against counterfeit products,” states Laurent Ostojski, Senior Legal Counsel at L-Acoustics. “Our task force continuously monitors the market for suspicious activity, and we are pleased to see that firm legal action on the part of L-Acoustics has led to punishment for parties that have been proven to use our brand illegally.”
To learn more about the L-Acoustics Counterfeit task force, how to spot a fake, and report any suspected counterfeits, please head to the L-Acoustics Anti-Counterfeiting page.
The following was originally published February 8, 2022:
Imitation is not always the greatest form of flattery. And in the case of counterfeit loudspeakers, it can be dangerous and illegal. In an active fight against counterfeit products and working in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), a key border agency of the Chinese nation which boasts 100,000 staff throughout the country, L-Acoustics recently had illegal counterfeit ARCS II loudspeakers seized and destroyed.
After an investigation conducted by the GACC, and information provided by L-Acoustics to determine the authenticity of the suspicious ARCS II, the counterfeit loudspeakers were seized and taken to a recycling facility, where they were dismantled. GACC officials attended the products’ destruction to attest that they effectively destroyed the fake loudspeakers and recycled the materials.
The counterfeiters were prosecuted as part of the L-Acoustics Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force’s mission to eradicate fake products. “We thank the Youyiguan Customs team and our local counsel, Wanhuida, for their cooperation,” says L-Acoustics Legal Counsel Laurent Ostojski. “This is but one small step in our anti-counterfeiting initiative, and we’re poised to take legal action against any perpetrators in the future.”
L-Acoustics dedicates significant financial and human resources to remove counterfeits from the market. “These products can be deceptively similar to ours on the outside but feature poor quality components and are marketed without any warranty, service, or electrical or mechanical certification,” explains Stephane Ecalle, Director of Market Intelligence at L-Acoustics. “The role of our task force is not only to defend our intellectual property by constantly monitoring the market, but also to alert the public on safety risks for users, and the legal risks associated with ownership or resale of counterfeits.”
All L-Acoustics products are manufactured in Europe. More information about the L-Acoustics Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force can be seen on L-Acoustics.com, where users can also report any suspected counterfeit L-Acoustics products.
