Vendors who sell designer brands at markets, whether legal or imitation, may face legal action.

Regardless of whether vendors have genuine goods or counterfeits, Li Dongsheng, vice director of the State General Administration for Industry and Commerce, says, the vendors might face criminal charges for intellectual property violation, according to CRIENGLISH.com.

Li says Chinese authorities issued the ban at the request of the foreign brand copyrights holders, who have promised they will not provide genuine goods to places other than authorized chain stores.

In the meantime, Li has asked consumers not to buy goods with brands names at markets.

He also encouraged them to report any violations to the state administration via its telephone hotline, 12315.

(CRIENGLISH.com)