Beijing 2008 Torch Campaign Ends – Crackdown On Counterfeit Products

Beijing 2008 organizers announced Monday that a three-month design competition for the Beijing 2008 Olympic torch ended February 28 with a large number of designs coming from China, the United States, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Indonesia and Iran.

Specialized art or industrial design institutes as well as individual designers were targeted.

The Culture and Ceremonies Department of Beijing 2008 said a jury will be set up to select three works for final appraisal by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board.

The jury will initially select 10 designs from which the three most outstanding will be chosen by April 18.

Meanwhile Beijing authorities are taking measures to crack down on sales of counterfeit Olympic products.

The Beijing industrial and commercial administration bureau and other law enforcement agencies have increased patrols and checks of markets where clothes and other small items are sold, as well as tourist spots and transport hubs.

Sales of fake Olympic mascots and souvenirs are among the major items targeted.

Beijing 2008 organizers have urged consumers to purchase Olympic products from licensed stores to avoid buying counterfeit goods.

Nine categories have been licensed so far and about 2,000 Olympic products including casual clothes and pins. Each product bears an “anti-fake” label with a unique serial number and is available only in the stores licensed by BOCOG. Write or read comments about this article

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