§ 47-2-14d — Seizure, forfeiture and disposal

(a) The following are subject to seizure and forfeiture in the same manner as the items referenced in section seven hundred three, article seven, chapter sixty-a of this code:

(1) All raw materials and equipment that are used, or intended for use, in providing, manufacturing and delivering items bearing a counterfeit mark or services identified by a counterfeit mark;

(2) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles or vessels, which are used, or are intended for use, to transport items bearing a counterfeit mark, except that:

(A) A conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier shall not be forfeited under this section unless it appears that the person owning the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this article;

(B) A conveyance shall not be forfeited under the provisions of this article if the person owning the conveyance establishes that he or she neither knew, nor had reason to know, that the conveyance was being employed or was likely to be employed in a violation of this article; and

(C) A bona fide security interest or other valid lien in any conveyance shall not be forfeited under the provisions of this article, unless the state proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the holder of the security interest or lien either knew, or had reason to know, that the conveyance was being used or was likely to be used in a violation of this article;

(3) All books, records, computers and data that are used or intended for use in the production, manufacture, sale or delivery of items bearing a counterfeit mark or services identified by a counterfeit mark; and

(4) All moneys, negotiable instruments, balances in deposit or other accounts, securities or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in the course of activity constituting a violation of sections fourteen-b, fourteen-c and fourteen-d of this article.

(b) Items bearing a counterfeit mark are subject to seizure and disposition as provided in section seven, article one-a, chapter sixty-two of this code. However, if the registrant or owner so requests, the agency holding the seized items shall release the seized items to the registrant or owner or make such other disposition as the registrant or owner directs. If the registrant or owner does not direct disposition of the seized items, the agency shall destroy the items.

Legislative History

2015 Reg. Sess., SB454; 2012 Reg. Sess., SB490