The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) announced the convictions and sentences in China of seven men charged with manufacturing and selling counterfeit golf products, another critical step in the Golf Group's efforts to enforce anti-counterfeiting laws internationally. The Chinese court system handed down the sentences in two separate court cases last week.
On May 9, Guan Zhenyan was convicted of selling more than 650 counterfeit products, including clubs, bags, and apparel. As a result, he was sentenced to a two-year prison term and a fine of more than $64,000.
Three days later Wu Guolin and five accomplices were convicted and sentenced for selling counterfeit products in Xiamen City. Guolin, deemed one of the men primarily responsible for the crime, will receive nearly four years in prison and a fine of more than $160,000. The other principal in the case, LV Xingda, will serve three years in prison and pay a fine of more than $80,000. Four others were handed prison sentences and fines in conjunction with this case. All of the counterfeit products and means of manufacturing were also seized.
“We are very pleased to learn of the strong sentences handed down by the Chinese courts today,” said Joe Nauman, executive vice president for corporate and legal for Acushnet Company. “These convictions are another important victory in on our ongoing battle to protect our brands and to protect golfers worldwide.”
“We'll continue to do our part to educate consumers on how to avoid counterfeit purchases, but the enforcement efforts around the world are a critical part of this fight as well,” said Stephen Gingrich, vice president of global legal enforcement for Cleveland Golf. “These sentences demonstrate the seriousness of the crimes and the positive impact being made as a result of the growing cooperation between the group and Chinese authorities.”
The Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group consists of five of the most well-known golf companies in the world — Acushnet Company whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron; Callaway-Odyssey; Cleveland Golf, Srixon and Never Compromise; PING; and TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth. Formed in 2004, the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group has worked with international law enforcement and government agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public awareness of the issue. Since 2011, the Golf Group's efforts with the help of Chinese law enforcement led to the seizure of more than 500,000 counterfeit golf products highlighted by a clustering campaign initiative resulting in the arrest of more than 30 suspects from raids of 14 different locations.
