Square Enix has successfully pressed criminal charges against individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit merchandise in China's Guangdong province. Chinese legal authorities filed charges in May 2023 against six distributors and three manufacturers. This crackdown ensued following allegations from Japanese and Chinese companies, prompting Square Enix to safeguard its intellectual property.
The illicit goods featured content from popular franchises like Final Fantasy and NieR:Automata, and authorities seized these products in China. The counterfeit items, which incorporated character designs from Square Enix games, were being sold through major retailers in China, Japan, and Western countries.
Committed to upholding its brand image, Square Enix collaborated with independent investigation firms to gather information leading to charges against the counterfeiters. The company shared images of the confiscated merchandise, including statues of iconic characters such as Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy VII and 2B from NieR Automata.
In response to these developments, Square Enix reassured shareholders, stakeholders, and fans of its dedication to providing high-quality products and services. The company emphasized its continuous commitment to the protection of intellectual property and urged customers and distributors to stay vigilant against counterfeits.
Source: jp.square-enix.com
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