THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931

750.263 Counterfeit marks. Sec. 263.

(1) A person who willfully counterfeits an identifying mark with intent to deceive or defraud another person or to represent an item of property or service as bearing or identified by an authorized identifying mark is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), a person who willfully delivers, offers to deliver, uses, displays, advertises, or possesses with intent to deliver any item of property or services bearing, or identified by a counterfeit mark, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or 3 times the aggregate value of the violation, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine. (3) A person who violates subsection (2) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $50,000.00 or 3 times the aggregate value of the violation, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine, if any of the following apply: (a) The person has a prior conviction under this section, section 264 or 265a, or former section 265 or a law of the United States or another state substantially corresponding to this section, section 264 or 265a, or former section 265. (b) The violation involved more than 100 items of property. (c) The aggregate value of the violation is more than $1,000.00. (4) A person who willfully manufactures or produces an item of property bearing or identified by a counterfeit mark is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $50,000.00 or 3 times the aggregate value of the violation, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine. (5) Willful possession of more than 25 items of property bearing or identified by a counterfeit mark gives rise to a rebuttable presumption that the person possessed those items with intent to deliver them in violation of subsection (2). (6) Any item of property bearing a counterfeit mark shall be seized under warrant or incident to a lawful arrest. An item of property that bears a counterfeit mark is subject to forfeiture in the same manner as provided in sections 4701 to 4709 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.4701 to 600.4709. Upon determination that an item of property bears a counterfeit mark, the court shall order the item forfeited and shall do 1 of the following: (a) If the owner of the identifying mark requests, return the item to that owner for destruction or another disposition or use approved by the court. (b) In the absence of a request under subdivision (a), order the seizing law enforcement agency to destroy the item as contraband or order an alternative disposition or use with the consent of the owner of the identifying mark. (7) As used in this section and section 264: (a) "Aggregate value of the violation" means the total value of all items of property or services bearing or identified by a counterfeit mark and involved in the violation, determined using the defendant's regular or intended selling price for each item or service or, if an item of property is intended as a component of a finished product, the defendant's regular or intended selling price of the finished product in which the component would be used. (b) "Counterfeit mark" means either of the following: (i) A copy or imitation of an identifying mark without authorization by the identifying mark's owner. (ii) An identifying mark affixed to an item of property or identifying services without authorization by the identifying mark's owner. (c) "Deliver" means to actually or constructively transfer or attempt to transfer an item of property from 1 person to another, regardless of whether there is an agency relationship. (d) "Identifying mark" means a trademark, service mark, trade name, name, label, device, design, symbol, or word, in any combination, lawfully adopted or used by a person to identify items of property manufactured, sold, or licensed by the person or services performed by the person. (e) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, union, or other legal entity. For purposes of ownership of an identifying mark, person includes a governmental entity.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.263 ;-- Am. 1997, Act 155, Eff. Mar. 1, 1998 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 672, Eff. Mar. 31, 2003 Former Law: See section 1 of Act 22 of 1863, being CL 1871, § 7649; How., § 9231; CL 1897, § 11677; CL 1915, § 15450; and CL 1929, § 8966.

The Michigan Penal Code (Excerpt)

Act 328 of 1931

Section 263: Counterfeit Marks

Section 263 of the Michigan Penal Code addresses the offense of counterfeiting marks and the possession of counterfeit items. The purpose of this law is to prevent individuals from engaging in activities involving counterfeit marks and materials, which can deceive or defraud others.

According to this statute:

1. It is a misdemeanor offense for a person to willfully counterfeit an identifying mark with the intent to deceive or defraud another person or to represent an item of property or service as bearing an authorized identifying mark. The penalty for this offense is imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
2. It is also a misdemeanor offense for a person to willfully deliver, offer to deliver, use, display, advertise, or possess with the intent to deliver any item of property or services bearing or identified by a counterfeit mark. The penalty for this offense is imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of up to $1,000, or 3 times the aggregate value of the violation, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
3. However, if certain aggravating factors apply, such as a prior conviction under this section or similar laws, involvement with a large number of items, or a high aggregate value of the violation, the offense becomes a felony. In such cases, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to $50,000, or 3 times the aggregate value of the violation, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
4. Additionally, the willful manufacturing or production of an item of property bearing or identified by a counterfeit mark is a felony offense, punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to $50,000, or 3 times the aggregate value of the violation, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
5. Possession of more than 25 items of property bearing or identified by a counterfeit mark creates a presumption that the person possessed those items with the intent to deliver them in violation of the law.
6. Any item of property bearing a counterfeit mark can be seized and subject to forfeiture. The court can order the item to be returned to the owner for destruction or other approved disposition, or order the seizing law enforcement agency to destroy the item as contraband or make an alternative disposition with the consent of the owner of the identifying mark.
7. The section provides definitions for various terms used, including "aggregate value of the violation," "counterfeit mark," "deliver," "identifying mark," and "person."

History: The Michigan Penal Code, Act 328, was enacted on September 18, 1931, and has undergone subsequent amendments. Similar provisions regarding counterfeit marks were present in earlier laws dating back to 1863.

Note: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For accurate and up-to-date information, consult legal professionals or refer to the original statutes and legal authorities within the Michigan Penal Code.