On the occasion of World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, EUIPO has published a report on the purchase and sale of counterfeit goods in the EU in the first half of 2020, which among other things clarifies how the illegal market for copied goods directly supports everything from drug trafficking to money laundering.
“It doesn’t hurt anyone” is a well-known statement in the confrontation with the purchase of illegal counterfeit goods, but according to EUIPOS’ latest report on IP crime, it has serious and far more far-reaching consequences – both human and financial – than most people suspect in regards to crime on the internet.
The report shows in all its clarity that online crime is not a victimless crime. The victim is the entire European society, which is losing both jobs and more than 100 billion in revenue – revenue that, instead, goes to criminal backers and supports serious crime.
Money laundering, drug trafficking and human trafficking are just some of the serious types of crime that money from the trade in illegal counterfeit goods can be traced back to. This punctures the presumption of victimless crime, and instead, the importance of effectively combating the illegal services that support the trade of both physical and digital products online, is established.
Design copies also pose a risk
In Denmark, Rights Alliance also sees extensive trade in illegal counterfeit goods of Danish design, which, in addition to costing Danish jobs, can also pose a direct health and environmental risk, as counterfeit goods do not undergo the same rigorous tests as original goods that ensure, that they are produced under proper conditions and are not dangerous to use.
In 2019, the IP Task Force in SØIK thus led several cases against illegal services for trading in design copies at the instigation of Rights Alliance’s police reports. The director of Rights Alliance, Maria Fredenslund, emphasizes, however, that despite the Danish efforts, there is a need for increased cross-border cooperation:
“In a Danish context, we in Rights Alliance, are very aware of the consequences of trading in counterfeit goods, and therefore we monitor online to prevent illegal trafficking, just as we continuously work to educate and inform consumers about the consequences – both personal and the societal – but there is a need for increased international cooperation at all levels, since a large part of crime is cross-border, ”she explains.
The Danish efforts include the education project “NudgeIP”, the design flyer “Why originals”, the information campaign “Os Der Elsker Film” and the “Share With Care” collaboration between the Rights Alliance, the Ministry of Culture and the Telecommunications Industry.
Link: Read the full report “The Status Report on IPR Infringement 2020” here.