International. Police raided a factory in China last October, called Enping Soundpu Electronics Equipment (which also operates under the name Voxpu Electronics Equipment), which was engaged in counterfeit products.
Successful policing on the site was initiated by Shure and achieved with the close collaboration and assistance of the Enping Public Security Bureau (PSB) and the Enping Administration of Industry and Commerce (AIC).
The factory in question is a repeat infringer and a counterfeiter known to Enping's compliance authorities. Soundpu was fined in August 2018 by Enping's AIC after counterfeit Shure wireless microphones were found on its factory premises during a routine investigation conducted in April 2018.
In addition to Shure, other leading audio companies, such as Sennheiser, Yamaha and Harman, were also affected by the counterfeit operation. Among the items seized were wireless microphones and receivers, consoles, amplifiers and processors. Shure has taken steps to initiate a criminal lawsuit against soundpu's owner and managers for their continued counterfeiting activities and blatant disregard for intellectual property rights.
"Counterfeiting is an ongoing problem for the audio industry, and we always remain vigilant in our efforts to combat it," said Chris Schyvinck, President and CEO of Shure. "Shure is deeply committed to protecting our valued customers from low-quality counterfeits and ensuring they only experience the quality of a genuine Shure product every time they purchase one that bears the Shure name."
Sennheiser, Yamaha and Harman will cooperate with Shure in the upcoming criminal action against Soundpu.
"Our collective intellectual property has been compromised and we greatly appreciate the cooperation of Sennheiser, Yamaha and Harman in this matter," Chris added. "We encourage customers to purchase any of these professional audio products only at authorized retailers."
"Brand and product piracy is a problem that demands to be taken seriously. As in other sectors, audio companies are affected by product piracy, which impacts brands that manufacture high-value products," said Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, Co-CEO of Sennheiser.
"Yamaha has taken several steps against counterfeit goods for quite some time, including civil actions, police raids, customs suspensions and has also published illuminating announcements around the world, particularly in China," said Takuya Nakata, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yamaha Corporation.
"Harman is committed to protecting the integrity and image of its brands, and will not hesitate to vigorously defend itself against the unauthorized use of our intellectual property," said Mohit Parasher, Executive Vice President and President of Harman Professional Solutions.
