Criminal ringleaders have found new ways to get counterfeit goods to consumers. Although counterfeit goods are often produced outside the EU, they are increasingly not only distributed but also produced, within the EU, the report from Europol and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, EUIPO states.
This trend is seen as more and more counterfeit packaging material and semi-finished products are seized by customs at the EU borders. According to the report, this indicates that the whole production or the completion of the production of counterfeit goods within Europe is increasing.
The report concludes that distribution of counterfeit goods continues to pose a serious threat to both the health and safety of consumers and to the European economy. According to the latest data from the OECD and EUIPO, it is estimated that the total import of counterfeit goods to the EU amounts to up to 5.8 % equivalent to 119 billion euros per year.
Barbara Suhr-Jessen, Head of Section at the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, says about the new report:
"We see once again that IPR crime has serious consequences for both companies, consumers and society in general. At the same time, the report emphasizes the importance of re-including IPR crime in EU's priorities in the fight against organized crime. This is expected to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting in the EU in the coming years. "
The report also confirms it is not only luxury goods that are counterfeited, but almost all types of goods – e.g., clothing, electronics, perfume, cosmetics, tobacco products, medicines and toys.
Read the new report from EUIPO and Europol
Read more about counterfeit goods in general at www.jegvælgerægte.dk, and find, for example, a number of good reasons to choose original products instead of copies. The site is operated by the Ministry's Network against IPR infringement. The website also contains a collection of
reports in the field - see for example IP Crime and Its Link to other Serious Crimes - Focus on Poly-criminality