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Prohibited Importation of Pentax Lens Circa 1975
There was some discussion, in one of the Gray Market threads, about how
Honeywell Photographic had pressed US Customs to enforce their trademarks in the 60s and 70s, when they were the sole US/Mexican importer for Pentax cameras and Takumar lenses. I had noted that US servicemen that purchased these cameras and lenses in the Far East had to obliterate the brand name to get them past Customs, when they returned home. Anyone wishing to see an example of a Takumar lens that had certain letters drilled out and replaced with black paint should have a look at the photos and description on eBay auction #180091628471. These items occasionally still come up for auction, and often the sellers do not even know the reason why the trade name was altered. As far as I know, Pentax cameras were no longer screened by US Customs once Honeywell Photographic withdrew from the photo distribution business in 1975. Asahi Optical then set up their own US distributor/importer, and I never heard of any more incidents of having to deface the trademark on cameras or lenses. I believe that Mamiya continues to press for enforcement of their trademark rights, although I don't know whether Customs defaces their trademarks on gear that is unofficially imported, or just seizes the goods. Mamiya gear, according to what I've read, sells for about twice the price in the US as it does in the Far East. http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/8f/3c/bd6b_1.JPG |
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