In December 2023, Shanghai police uncovered a case involving the sale of counterfeit Moutai special-supply liquor in Qingpu district, leading to the arrest of suspect Fan in Renhuai, Guizhou province.
Subsequent investigations revealed that between July and September 2023, Fan had purchased low-cost counterfeit "Kweichow Moutai" branded special-supply liquor, selling them in sets of six bottles for approximately 100 yuan ($13.84) each. This illicit operation resulted in total sales exceeding 220,000 yuan.
In pursuit of higher profits, Fan expanded his illicit activities in October 2023 by acquiring counterfeit Moutai packaging materials such as bottles, caps, and ribbons, along with inexpensive raw ingredients like alcohol essence and ethyl acetate. He proceeded to blend and fill these components into counterfeit "Kweichow Moutai" special-supply liquor, which resulted in sales exceeding 460,000 yuan.
Fan was apprehended in Renhuai on Dec 13, 2023 and the Shanghai People's Procuratorate No 3 Branch launched a public prosecution in April 2024.
Following a public trial on June 19, the Shanghai Third Intermediate People's Court convicted Fan on charges of selling counterfeit trademarked goods (resulting in a nine-month prison sentence and a fine of 115,000 yuan) and trademark counterfeiting (resulting in a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a fine of 235,000 yuan). The court imposed a combined sentence of two years and 10 months, along with a total fine of 350,000 yuan.
Trademark infringement is one of the most common types of intellectual property violations. During the handling of this case, prosecutors and courts enhanced their analysis and evaluation of evidence, initiating a comprehensive crackdown on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit products to uphold market discipline and efficiently protect the lawful rights and interests of the public.
