THE former boss of a well-known counterfeit goods mall in downtown Shanghai has been sentenced to three and a half years in jail for his involvement in the selling of counterfeit goods and fined 1 million yuan (US$145,254).

The defendant, surnamed Li, was identified as an “accomplice of sellers” — the first person described as such to be punished for infringement of intellectual property rights.

Hancity Fashion & Accessories Plaza, on No.580 Nanjing Road W., used to host hundreds of stalls selling counterfeit designer and brand goods such as Burberry scarfs, LV handbags and Ray-Ban sunglasses.

The mall was closed last summer for renovation and upgrading, and has yet to reopen.

The court said Li had demanded 5.24 million yuan from the sellers for allowing them sell counterfeit goods.