Bangkok--9 Jan--PC & Associates Consulting Casio reported that copyright and trademark infringement in Thailand is extreme and the “Casio” calculators are continuing to be counterfeited. Most recently, retail stores around Klongtom market were searched and nearly 2,000 counterfeit calculators, worth almost one million baht, were found. The representative of Casio Computer Co., Ltd. reported that Thailand has continued to experience infringement of intellectual properties, especially trademark counterfeits. Casio always faces this problem even though its calculators, unlike other products, are inexpensive and generally used as office supplies. The 2007 damage was estimated to be more than 10 Million baht. The representative believes that this situation is a result of Casio’s long-lasting reputation in excellent quality and popularity among businessmen and science and math students. “Casio is dedicated to developing and manufacturing quality and durable products. Therefore, Casio does not want consumers to risk using counterfeits. Nearly all cheap calculators with fake trademarks fail to function easily and become worthless. Most importantly, respect should be given to inventors of intellectual properties. Rather than creating a society with sustainable development, infringers scoop up profits without any intellectual investment. This infringing behavior stops the long-term economic growth of the country. Therefore, besides suppressing and cracking down on the infringers of Casio’s trademark, Casio hopes that consumers will consider the importance of quality and excellent performance as a main concern,” said the Casio representative. Following a raid in early 2007, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. and the police recently searched four retail stores around Klongtom again. This time, more than 1,700 fake calculators with a value of nearly 1,000,000 baht, imitating the “Casio” trademark, were seized. Legal actions on trademark infringement, which carry a maximum penalty of four years jail time, or a 400,000-baht fine, or both imprisonment and a fine, were brought against the owners of those retail stores. Moreover, to crack down on the market of fakes that imitate Casio products, Casio plans to continue raiding companies and stores involved with counterfeits throughout Bangkok and upcountry. For more information pls. Contact:Miss Sukolthip JitmongkolthorngTilleke & Gibbins International Ltd.Tel: 0-2263-7700Email: [email protected] Press release distributed by:Miss Pranee Chalermtanasak PC & Associates Consulting Co., Ltd.Tel: 0-29713711Email: [email protected]