More than 50 percent of people think retailers who are caught selling counterfeit goods should be named and shamed in the local press, the latest Arabian Business poll has found.
Under current UAE rules, retailers who are prosecuted for selling fake goods can retain their anonymity despite breaking the law.
Earlier this month, some 4,000 fake Casio watches were removed from shops in the Deira area. However, a spokesman for the watchmaker refused to name the offenders, saying: “Tasks International, an organisation established to help governments in the region counter fake products, said under local law these companies may not be identified.”
According to the latest AB online poll, some 52.9 percent of respondents thought retailers selling counterfeit products should be fined and named and shamed in the media.
A further 5.2 percent of people said they thought the goods should just be confiscated but no fines issued.
According to the Government of Dubai’s website, fines for selling, importing, or manufacturing fake counterfeit products ranges from AED500 to AED50,000 depending on the offence.
Fifteen percent of people who took part in the poll said they would not buy fake goods, but did not care if there were on sale in shops and other people bought them. While 26.9 percent said shoppers were silly if they paid full price.
Earlier this week, the National reported that tougher penalties including fines and prison sentences will be introduced to cut the UAE’s trade in counterfeit goods, estimated by the Ministry of Economy to be worth $500m a year.
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