Thousands of GPS navigation devices featuring pirated iGO 8 software were confiscated by the Spanish police in mid-September during their operation called “Operación Satélite”. The pirating Spanish company even shipped devices to the largest chain stores.

A total of 4,111 PNAs were confiscated during the operation called “Operación Satélite”, conducted by the Madrid police forces in cooperation with SNB REACT and IPR Consulting on September 15th. One person was arrested, and criminal proceedings have been started against two others. The Spanish police carried out searches at a number of locations in Madrid as well as in several smaller settlements, at the direct addresses of the trading group, the central offices of related companies, and at larger points of sale.

Marketed by the Spanish firm, the packaging of the cheap, Chinese PNA products indicated that the devices featured iGO 8 navigation software. However, the devices did not contain a legal version of the software but a popular pirated one. At one of the search sites, several thousand empty boxes with illegally used Nav N Go trademarks were also seized.

Not only were the devices loaded with pirated software, but their packaging also infringed Nav N Go’s trademark-related rights, and as such, possessing and selling them is against the law. This case has probably affected large numbers of people as many of the customers would have believed they were buying GPS devices with genuine software. With pirated software, however, they are not entitled to any product support or map updates.

IPR Consulting Ltd, the trademark protection representatives of Nav N Go, would like to point out to dealers in Spain and elsewhere that if they have bought any i-Big Cuore or i-Route GPS devices featuring iGO 8, iGO primo or iGO amigo navigation software, they should immediately contact the Madrid police and/or the Budapest office of IPR Consulting at office@iprconsulting.hu, and hand over the illegal products. Detailed information in Spain is available at nabella@snbreact.org, the local office of SNB-REACT (The European Anti-Counterfeiting Network).

How to verify that the purchased Nav N Go software is genuine?

The IPR Consulting suggests, consumers ask the sellers to prove the authenticity of the software when purchasing it, or ask specifically what software is installed on the hardware if this is not indicated.

Nav N Go and IPR, the trade mark protecting representative, inform customers that they can check the software's product support and authencity on the www.naviextras.com portal. It is advised to visit www.naviextras.com right after the purchase. After connecting the device to the computer the system will recognize the software if it is genuine. If piracy is suspected, please report it directly to the trade mark protecting representative under +36 20 989 7705 or office@iprconsulting.hu.

IPR Consulting also raises attention to the fact that infringing products and importing them to the territory of the European Community, will be seized and destroyed.