Authorities seize 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars – which would have been worth $18 million if they were real
Gibson, in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection and others, has announced the interception of over 3,000 counterfeit guitars that were on their way into the United States.
Described as the “largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure on record”, the operation saw CBP officers, working with Homeland Security special agents and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators, who intercepted the suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia.
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While Gibson has confirmed that the guitars were, in fact, counterfeit, it claims that had they been authentic, they would have been worth $18,742,820 in total.
Credit: Mani Albrecht, Audio Visual Production Specialist U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs
Images supplied to Guitar.com by Gibson and the US Customs and Border Protection Office reveal that counterfeit guitars claiming to be made by other brands including Fender, PRS and Gretsch were also seized.
Counterfeit Fender Jazzmaster and Gibson Dave Grohl DG-335. Credit: Mani Albrecht, Audio Visual Production Specialist U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs
“These fraudulent guitars may look and feel legitimate for unsuspecting consumers buying them from third-party online sources, street markets, unauthorised retailers and person-to-person transactions,” says Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles.
“As we approach the busy holiday shopping season, consumers should pay attention to where they are buying these goods and how much they are paying, and if it is too good to be true it probably is.”
Credit: Mani Albrecht, Audio Visual Production Specialist U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs
“We are grateful for the hard work that our US CBP officers, HSI special agents, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators are doing to stop counterfeiting,” adds Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian.
“Our partnership is designed to help every agency work together to protect consumers and our fans from being misled into counterfeits. Today’s announcement gives us hope that we are on the right track, working together as partners.
“To our music lovers and customers, no matter which American brand you decide to buy, always buy direct from the source, or from authorized dealers. Our pledge is to protect the consumer and give them the tools to make the journey of playing guitar and making music the most amazing experience.”
“Counterfeit products harm legitimate businesses, erode consumer trust, and damage the reputation of iconic brands like Gibson,” adds LA County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant William Kitchin. “Beyond the economic losses, counterfeit goods often do not meet safety or quality standards, leaving consumers at risk.”
In Fiscal Year 2023, it’s reported that CBP seized 19,724 shipments containing goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), equating to nearly 23 million counterfeit goods with approximately $2.3 billion had they been genuine.”
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
