Counterfeits, a worldwide scourge
Counterfeit is defined as a violation of intellectual property rights. It is an illegal activity which consists in deceiving consumers by creating the illusion that they are purchasing original products, whereas they are in reality buying copies. The aim of counterfeiters is to benefit from the usurped brand’s notoriety, its image and its prior investment.
A dangerous international trade
Counterfeiting is considered to be a criminal activity, which allows for financing dangerous organizations such as banditry, mafia networks and even certain terrorist groups. It is a worldwide problem and all states need to combat this illegal phenomenon.
Many counterfeit products are produced in South-East Asia (China, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea…), around the Mediterranean (Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey…), Russia, and even in the European Union (Spain, Poland, Italy…). Counterfeit products are distributed through networks in the different countries. However, a new distribution channel has evolved in the last years: the Internet.
The Internet allows for an easy, fast and nearly entirely anonymous access for these counterfeit networks. Web users worldwide can access counterfeit “online shops” (specialized websites, auction sites, blogs, forums…) in just a few seconds. On behalf of its clients, LegitiName actively fights against these kinds of networks by providing illicit content monitoring solutions and by detecting fraudulent use of brand’s images.
Counterfeiting is a phenomenon that strikes all consumption areas: clothing, leather products, jewelry and watches, perfumes… But illegal copies of games, music pieces and movies, and counterfeit mobile phone equipment (cases, batteries etc) are also booming, as are counterfeit automotive spare parts (filters, motor parts etc). Last but not least we need to name the household sector: household electronics (household appliances, radios…), food and drinks, fabrics, toys, cosmetics, pens, razors and so on. As counterfeit items do not comply with safety standards they can present a real danger to consumers.
Some key figures on the counterfeit jewelry and watch market
- In 2007, customs officers confiscated 1.8 million counterfeit watches and jewelry.
- According to Swiss watchmakers, 40 million counterfeit watches are produced every year, resulting in damages of 535 million Euros.
- The watch brands most concerned by this: Omega, Audemars Piguet, CK, Bulgari, Tag Heuer, Breitling, Rolex, Gucci, Swatch, Franck Muller.
- 52.21% of seized watches and jewelry come from China, 36.15% from Italy.
Sources:
contrefacon-danger.com
Bilan spécial Montres
Image source:
Google Images
Tags: counterfeit, intellectual property
