Bootleg items will be put to good use

Sep 10 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Holyhead And Anglesey Mail

ROBIN HOOD is alive and well and works in Anglesey County Council's Trading Standards department.

Recently the local authority department donated seized counterfeit goods to charity, just like the legendary Nottingham outlaw, taking from the unjust and giving to the needy.

More than 2,000 items, such as CDs, computer software, clothing and games were donated by Terry Jones, head of environmental services and Cllr Richard Jones, portfolio member for Healthy and Safe Communities to the Birth Defects Charity.

Arthur Owen, corporate director of planning and environmental services said: "These goods represent a significant part of the work of Trading Standards locally in their fight against counterfeiting crime."

"The manufacturers of the genuine goods have given their full support to this donation and we are satisfied that the goods or money will reach those in need."

Cllr Jones added: "It is comforting to know that these seized items are being put to such good use."

The Birth Defects Foundation (BDF) will recycle the goods by removing all traces of the counterfeit branding.

They are then sold through the charity's shops, with the funds being used for improving child health.

It is a sad fact that every day, 124 babies are born with some form of birth defect.

Pip Tibbetts, BDF corporate and public services liaison officer added: "We are pleased to work in partnership with Anglesey Trading Standards. This is a positive move which will result in the raising of vital funds to help child health."

It is estimated that counterfeiting costs the UK £8.5billion every year, but there is also the impact it can have on the consumer who thinks they have bought a bargain. Counterfeit goods tend to be of poor quality and software and PC games may have viruses or otherwise affect the machine itself.