Fake Rugby Cup T-shirt charge first under new law

The owner of an Auckland store allegedly selling fake Rugby World Cup merchandise has been criminally charged under new powers granted to a government agency.

The New Zealand Customs Service seized 1000 unlicensed T-shirts at the border in January but hundreds of the shirts - stamped with the International Rugby Board-owned tournament logo - had already been sold to unsuspecting customers.

The national enforcement unit of the Ministry of Economic Development was tasked with investigating the replica garments, which were being sold for as little as $10 when authentic T-shirts cost as much as $40.

Charges under the Event Management Act were laid yesterday against CL NZ Trading Company and sole director Terry Lung Chan for allegedly importing the counterfeit goods.

Mr Chan is due to appear in Auckland District Court on May 6. It is the first time charges have been laid under the legislation, which was passed last year to stop rogue ticket sellers and sellers of merchandise ripping off the IRB.

If convicted on these charges, the company and Mr Chan are liable for a fine of up to $150,000.

"We are focused on not only intercepting counterfeit Rugby World Cup 2011 merchandise but also on taking prosecution action against those involved," said Phil Day, head of the MED national enforcement unit.

"The case highlights that almost a year and a half out from the Rugby World Cup, attempts are already being made to sell counterfeit product in New Zealand.

"If fans don't buy goods through official sales channels, they could find themselves in possession of poor quality counterfeit product or, in relation to tickets, turned away from Rugby World Cup 2011 matches."