Privatdetektei Ryffel AG was commissioned by a renowned law firm in the Canton of St. Gallen to conduct investigations in the area of trademark protection as part of a civil mandate. The investigations uncovered internal trademark infringements, leading to the criminal prosecution of a senior employee.
Background:
A prominent law firm suspected that trademarked products of its client were being illegally distributed through unofficial channels and possibly counterfeited. As a result, they hired Privatdetektei Ryffel AG to conduct undercover investigations in the field of trademark and competition law.
Investigation Process:
The detectives conducted test purchases from various retailers and inspected the shelves of suspicious shops. They recorded the goods and their serial numbers to verify the origin and legitimacy of the products. The findings revealed that many of the examined products were being offered illegally.
Discovery and Surveillance:
A pivotal moment occurred during the surveillance of the client’s headquarters warehouse. The detectives documented how a senior employee personally delivered trademarked products to unauthorized retailers. It was also discovered that this employee was storing defective goods in a separate building, relabeling them as full-quality branded products, and selling them.
Legal Consequences:
Based on the detailed, court-admissible report from Privatdetektei Ryffel AG, the law firm filed a criminal complaint against the senior employee and the involved sellers. The police seized the illegally offered goods, and a criminal case was initiated against the employee.
Conclusion and Appreciation:
The successful resolution of this case underscores the importance of thorough internal controls and the necessity of taking legal action against trademark infringements. Through their professional investigations, Privatdetektei Ryffel AG significantly contributed to protecting the integrity of the client’s brand and uncovering internal misconduct.
This case example demonstrates that private detective agencies can play a crucial role in enforcing trademark rights and combating white-collar crime.
