With raids at consumer trade shows becoming increasingly common, it comes as little surprise to find that approximately 220 German customs agents appeared today at one of the world's largest consumer-electronic shows, the Internationale FunkausstellungĀ (IFA).
According to reports, the agents swarmed into IFA's halls shortly after the show opened in search of patent infringements.
It is believed that German officials received complaints from patent-firm Sisvel, and armed agents consequently raided over 50 booths. Draw your memory back a few months and you'll recall similar German raids being carried out at CeBIT.
Various reports have suggested that the officials have been seen targeting Asian companies in particular, though Norbert Scheithauer, a German customs spokesperson has stated that European firms are also being closely examined.
High-tech items are believed to have been seized from the likes of Emtec, MSI, and Xoro, but the names of other accused companies haven't yet been divulged.