NBI Raids Shops Selling Cobonpue Furniture Imitations

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday raided four furniture stores reportedly selling furniture imitations of the world-famous Cebuano furniture maker Kenneth Cobonpue.

Lawyer Ann Edillon, Cobonpue’s counsel, said the NBI agents raided the stores of John Tanjueco in Tagaytay City, Bacoor City, Pulilan in Bulacan, where the manufacturing is done, in violation of Intellectual Property Code by imitating property designs. Edillon added that Tanjueco was engaged in manufacturing and selling imitations of the sought-after furniture of Cobonpue designs.

Report said Tanjueco was cornered by the NBI agents at his Jasmine Furnitures shop. Edillon and NBI agents from Manila found some replicas of Cobonpue’s designs being displayed in the shop’s showroom. It added that unfinished imitations of “La Luna” chairs were also found in the warehouse.

Tanjueco admitted manufacturing the seized furniture bearing Cobonpue’s designs but insisted he did them only because his customers asked him to copy such designs.

Cobonpue’s customers include not only top Hollywood celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but also royalty like Queen Sophia of Spain and Queen Rania Al Abdullah.

Source: PHilStar

Image Credit: 1pilipinas.com