YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
NYC Counterfeit Goods Lawyers
Selling, distributing or wholesaling counterfeit goods is a federal offense. This is because the merchandise is moved across state lines and were most likely bought from a foreign country. Therefore, if you have bought counterfeit goods this way and decide to sell them on the black market, you can be charged with a federal offense.
Definition of Counterfeit Goods
Counterfeit goods are manufactured products that are usually inferior to the original products with the intent to sell them under the brand name. This is done without the owner’s consent to defraud and deceive consumers. Generally, the counterfeit goods are sold under the identical trademark of the original products.
Many popular brands across a broad spectrum of industries have fallen victim to counterfeiting tactics. Most of these products are manufactured in developing countries where they can be produced inexpensively.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Selling Counterfeit Goods is a Federal Offense
It is a federal offense to knowingly sell fake goods and/or services. Federal prosecutors will enforce the laws to the counterfeiter and the individual or company that sells the products.
Laws against counterfeiting are designed to protect the buyer and the maker of the original product. Owning fake products, brands or company logos to sell is cheating the buyer and manufacturer who invested money and time to develop the products.
The Trademark Counterfeiting Act of 1984 applies equal force to any person trafficking in counterfeit goods and any individual or company that knowingly sells the goods. A conviction carries substantial monetary fines and prison time.
Within the law, the term “traffic” is defined broadly to include selling products that bears a counterfeit trademark. The definition also applies to transporting, transferring or disposing of a product for anything of value, including money.
Penalties for Selling Counterfeit Goods
Penalties for knowingly selling, distributing or wholesaling counterfeit goods can lead to the following penalties:
• Up to 10 years imprisonment for the first offense; up to 20 years for repeat offenders. When an offender recklessly or knowingly cause the death of a person because they were unlawfully selling goods or services, they can receive a life sentence.
• Up to a $5 million fine for individuals who are repeat offenders; up to $15 million for corporations.
• Authorities will seize and destroy counterfeit goods that are in the offender’s possession, usually the wholesaler or distributor.
Exposure to Product Liability Claims
Counterfeiters could also face civil lawsuits brought by owners of the trademark products being sold. Under the federal trademark law, owners can recover:
• Damages to the trademark, brand, etc.
• Profit losses from knock-off products being sold instead of the originals
• Attorney’s fees
• Other injunctive relief
Owners have a right to this legal action even when the individual or company selling the merchandise was not aware that it was counterfeit. Legal action is possible if the product is defective and results in someone’s death.
Personal injury, interruption of business operations, property damage and other losses also apply. Most likely, the wholesaler will be the one held liable for the damages. Typically, the manufacturer of the counterfeit product cannot be found to face prosecution. If the manufacturer is in a foreign country, it is unlikely that the manufacturer is not subject to U.S. court jurisdiction.
When wholesalers or distributors knew, or should have reasonably known, that the products they sold were counterfeit, punitive damages claims may also be filed against them. This type of exposure is usually not covered by the wholesaler or distributor’s product liability insurance policy.
Get Expert Advice from a Black Market/Counterfeit Goods Lawyer
Charges of selling counterfeit goods can lead to serious fines and penalties. This is one of those federal crimes where ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law. If found guilty, you will receive the same punishment as someone who fully and knowingly participated in committing the same crime.
Therefore, it is in your best interest to contact a law firm like Spodek Law Group, PC to receive expert advice on what these criminal charges can mean for your future. Arrange a consultation with one of our attorneys if you have been charged with trafficking counterfeit goods. We can begin discussing the best defense for your case.
