Industry Eye: KJM Superbike get six-figure spankin

Lancashire-based KJM Superbikes has taken a major six-figure spanking fromBristol City Council Trading Standards, says Roger Willis.

The consumer watchdog used new financial investigation powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to target KJM after initially investigating an allegation against local dealer Wheeltorque.

One of Wheeltorque's customers had complained a Yamaha Virago bought from that company was in fact a Chinese-built counterfeit. Trading Standards then discovered the fake bike -­ one of a shipment of more than 200 -­ had been imported and supplied by KJM.

Following guilty pleas before Bristol Magistrates Court under the TradeDescriptions Act 1968 and Trade Marks Act 1994, Bristol Crown Court made aconfiscation order of £174,513 against KJM and awarded costs of £25,000 tothe council. The court also imposed a fine of £3000 and required KJM to pay£2000 compensation to the aggrieved punter.

"There are no hiding places or financial gain for sellers of fake goods,"says Bristol's chief Trading Standards rottweiler Robin Whittle. "With our new powers we can recover all the profits made."