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Customs intercepts shipment of counterfeit Power Rangers

By Ben Hooper
Customs agents in South Carolina intercepted a shipment of "counterfeit toys" including knock-off Power Rangers and James Bond 007 toys. Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Customs agents in South Carolina intercepted a shipment of "counterfeit toys" including knock-off Power Rangers and James Bond 007 toys. Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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July 27 (UPI) -- Customs officers in South Carolina announced the seizure of $121,442 worth of "counterfeit toys" from China, including several knock-off Power Rangers.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the Office of Field Operations at Charleston seaport seized a shipment that arrived from China in June and was bound for a North Carolina-based importer.

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The shipment contained $121,442 worth of counterfeit toys that were found to bear fraudulent trademarks and copyrights registered to The Cartoon Network, Apple Inc., Saban Brands, and Danjaq LLC.

"Saban Brands holds the copyrights to the Power Rangers brand and Danjaq holds the rights to 'James Bond 007' characters and materials," the agency said.

"Counterfeiting robs lawful rights holders of their unique ideas and the ability to make a profit from them," said Robert Fencel, CBP Charleston Area Port director. "It damages legitimate manufacturers, and can harm consumers because manufacturers of counterfeit items have little motivation to use safe, high quality materials in their products. In essence, they're trying to make a 'quick buck' off of another party's reputation and ideas."

CBP said investigators consulted with the rights holders and determined that 27 of the 284 cartons of toys in the shipment were counterfeit and used images and branding without permission. A total 34,690 counterfeit toys were seized.

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