Maximum £10,000 fine for clothing counterfeiter

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John McIlvogue, 32, a counterfeit clothing merchant, has been hit with Scotland's biggest fine for infringing trademarks, after being found guilty at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The maximum £10,000 fine (or six months in prison) was imposed after McIlvogue pled guilty to supplying counterfeit goods worth £11,000. The conviction follows an extensive investigation and surveillance operation by Renfrewshire Council trading standards officers.

McIlvogue's large scale operation produced fake Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Versace, Evisu, Stone Island and Von Dutch garments, and then sold them through eBay and his own website.

In October 2004, police and trading standards officers raided McIlvogue's business premises at Container Parks, Abercorn Street, Paisley. McIlvogue then voluntarily took the officers to his home. Cash to the value of £1005, a computer, two laptops and counterfeit clothing, footwear and accessories were seized.

Forensic reports on the computers found that the counterfeiting was a long term activity and that the scale of the operation was much larger than at first thought.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's environment and infrastructure policy board, said: "This fine is the biggest fine we've ever seen for this type of crime. Counterfeiting is becoming more and more common. It's excellent news for consumers that the sheriff has sent such a strong message to counterfeiters that their activities will be heavily punished."

McIlvogue is now likely to be the subject of a Proceeds of Crime Order where cash gained from criminal activities is confiscated and used for community projects.

Press release: Friday 9 May 2008