Police take down Counterfeit Heritage Grill Seller

Ya and I don't see any indication they did. Has this gone to court yet?

 

No idea, the video wasn’t intended to be an evidence presentation, it’s just basically a hype video. Innocent until proven guilty but I would be amazed if this much manpower was brought to bear with no evidence of mislabeling or misrepresentation.

Amazon deals with thousands upon thousands of counterfeit listings. I have no problem believing this product was one of them…though the amount of law enforcement involved is completely unnecessary. The dudes involved will have their day in court to defend themselves if they’re innocent.

Maybe the only reason there was so much LE was specifically to make this video and try to scare off other counterfeiters (good luck).

 

This is want I was thinking, or some high up in Toyota or Amazon "suggested" they hit the place in force.

 

Could also be that the seizing of the product and interruption of the business for the deration of the court proceedings being enough the put him out of business. So even if he is innocent it doesn't matter.

 

You’re not wrong. Prosecution has its consequences even if you’re found innocent.

 

Don't think they mislabeled, I think the blurred parts at 1:37 say "Tacoma TRD", but I don't think that implies Toyota made the part, just that the part is for Tacoma? I guess this is were the jury would come in and make that call?

 

Jesus christ! Acting like they’re doing such a good thing when people are happy to buy the knock off’s….
Counterfeiting is only a problem if you try to pass it off as the real thing.

Let people buy cheap shit if they want to, holy shit fuck this world today

 

What an absolute clown show Guns drawn on the man at his home and while “clearing” the warehouse over some plastic grilles.. And I love how they had to add the mentioning of him owning a Glock that is legally registered to him. This is all for show. If people don’t want to pay the ridiculous price Toyota puts on everything they’re not going to. Make an example of this guy but you’ll never do anything about the overseas sellers who sell them for even cheaper. Thank god our taxes funded this operation, meanwhile the warehouse next door is moving kilos.. or people.. or both.

 

No they most likely listed the part on Amazon as an OEM part. That’s all it would take. You’re not gonna find what you’re looking for in the video. Just because the video doesn’t show the evidence doesn’t mean it’s not there, this isn’t an evidence rollout or a court proceeding…

 

How do you know they weren’t trying to pass it off as the real thing?

 

Cat thieves would require work to catch. These busts are $ justification.

 

I just reread this and if the parts were labeled as “Toyota TRD” and they’re not made by a company authorized to make Toyota branded parts, then yes that’s mislabeling and they’re counterfeit.

 

Look at the one under "dennis J" the second blurred word is clearly Toyota (you can see the tail from the y) but thats the only one. The full sentence reads "TRD pro front grill for toyota tacoma". Think that suggests they are naming the brand and make of vehicle the product is for not that Toyota made the part. Like Say.... "wheel bearing for rear axle toyota tacoma 3rd gen" not saying yota made the part but that its for a toyota.

 

Dude had a 3rd gen in the drive way, any lawyer worth half their fee, could argue personal use and win the case.

 

Are Raptor lights next?

 

In that case the use of “TRD Pro” is probably the issue. Read the definition of “counterfeit mark”:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/definit..._src=title:18:part:I:chapter:113:section:2320

But again I wouldn’t focus so closely on the video. If we had all the evidence in front of us we could dig in and discuss, but we don’t. If the Amazon listing said “OEM TRD Pro grille” it makes no difference what the packaging says. We have no idea how this product was advertised.

 

“I like a clean grille. I put a new one on every Saturday afternoon”

 

After his drive to work more like.... and he works where they are stored. The perfect alibi.
Ya TRD may be the issue then. I keep going to the video as its the only thing we have to discuss in this case. I don't put to much stock in it, they show us what they want us to see.