The problem of piracy across a wide range of industries in Europe has led the Customs and Enforcement agencies to classify the types of product affected. This approach will enable statistics to be compared and strategies developed to combat the problem.

 

Brand Owners often find it helps to get assistance in fighting product in crime from other brand owners selling similar products. In the world of product piracy competitors often become allies for the common good.

 

1. Medicines, Pharmaceuticals and veterinary Products

 

Of course proprietary medicines and pharmaceuticals are all the target of pirates. What may surprise you though is that veterinary products are also subject to wide attack. Sadly, even pet products attract the attention of counterfeiters with cases of animal feeds, grooming products and accessories falling foul of imitators.

 

From the safety point of view, piracy in this sector cannot be allowed to continue since the costs are too high to ignore.

 

There are a variety of methods that manufacturers can employ to protect their products in this industry and these include improved security on both primary and secondary packaging, labels and blister packs. Better product marking and tracking/tracing systems will also assist with identifying the source of counterfeit product.

 

2. Perfumes, Colognes, Toilet Preparations and Cosmetics

 

There are serious risks to health from pirated perfumes and cosmetics. Many cases of skin damage as well as eye damage have been reported. These pirate products are often found for sale cheaply on internet auction sites and street markets.

 

More attention is needed to authentication devices and purchasers need to be aware of what to look for when purchasing such products.

 

3. Stationery, office supplies and Imaging Supplies (ink jet cartridges for printers and toner supplies for copiers)

 

In some parts of the world, South America and Asia for instance counterfeit ink jet cartridges, printer ribbons and toner cartridges are widespread. The practice is becoming more common too in Europe. Harmful chemicals are often used in the manufacture of these 'copy' products and these can be injurious to health. There have also been instances of office copier paper being counterfeited as well as writing tools and general office equipment.

 

Whilst the risks to health are not great to consumers of these products the staff employed in manufacturing fake imaging suppliers are being exposed to hazardous conditions in their place of work.

 

Responsible brands within the industry are providing a variety of authentication devices on their products to enable purchasers to check the authenticity before purchase.

 

4. Cigarettes, tobacco and tobacco products

Criminals are attracted to these products because of the high degree of tax levied. Counterfeit cigarettes are often difficult to distinguish from originals until they are smoked.

 

Such counterfeits are much more dangerous to health that the real products that they replace and are often seen for sale from street vendors in and around city centres. More worryingly though supplies of fake cigarettes are beginning to surface through independent retailers who are finding it difficult to compete with national and international chain stores.

 

In some parts of the world brand owners are adding overt security as well as covert security to all their packaging.

 

5. Food and Drink (i.e. honey, cheeses and local specialities as well as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages)

 

There are increasing instances of counterfeit spirits now on sale across the community. Such products are attractive because of their high price. Instances of counterfeit Vodka and Whisky as well as Champagne and Vintage Wines are regularly reported. Instances where fake table water, children's soft drinks and regional delicacies such as Caviar, Smoked Hams and even Honey have been publicised.

 

In the case of fake alcoholic drinks, consumption can be deadly. In the case of consumption of food stuffs one risks the severe effects of food poisoning.

 

Some manufacturers are now including security devices on bottles and packaging.

 

6. Purses, bags, luggage and travellers goods

 

Another popular target of fakers is fashionable leather accessories such as handbags and luggage. High quality 'designer products' are offered for sale openly at flea markets and street sales at unbelievably low prices. Again, if the price looks too good to be true it probably is.

 

Little damage is caused by such products although it's fair to say that the profit from such sales goes to fund more serious crime and terrorism.

 

7. Labels, logo's, tags, quality marks and badges of origin (i.e. products used to label and package counterfeit goods)

 

It stands to reason that pirates have to copy the labels of target branded goods in order to dupe people into buying them in the first place. Brand Owners know this and often ensure that they add features to these labels that make them difficult to copy. They also add disguised security marks to ensure they can recognise copies of their products. This protects them from claims of poor quality. It is also common practice for pirates to copy quality marks such as the CE mark or 'WoolMark'. Copying Quality marks is a serious offence.

 

Counterfeiters are now finding a ready source of ready-made logo's and labels available from corrupt printers and manufacturers in bordering European States.

 

8. Articles of clothing (except footwear, sportswear and headgear)

 

Clothing - especially designer wear is often targeted. Many designers only produce limited runs of their products. This is to ensure that buyers are ensured a high degree of individuality when they wear the product. Of course copies of designer clothing fetch higher prices than non-original designs. Many high quality weatherproof products that require specialist manufacturing skills to ensure they are waterproof or offer protection from extremes of cold are also counterfeited. Obviously such products offer less (or no) protection from the weather.

 

9. Footwear (except sports footwear and sports socks)

 

There are safety aspects involved with footwear, especially work boots. Products that protect the wearer against injury require specialised construction and the addition of protective materials. This adds to the cost of the products and is reflected in their sales price. Pirates copy such products using cheaper constructions and offer no such guarantees that their copies offer any protection at all.

 

10. Sports footwear (including trainers and sports socks)

 

It's not just sports people that wear sports footwear. These products are highly fashionable and attract buyers of all ages because they are comfortable and attractive. Special footwear to suit a variety of sports such as football and golf are also counterfeited. Sports users are unlikely to enjoy the same degree of performance from copies of such products.

 

11. Headgear (including caps)

 

Designer caps often attract the attention of fakers. Fans of Formula 1 and Football often wear 'official' endorsements of their allegiance by donning caps that bear the crests of their respective champions. However safety helmets and thermal headgear that are specifically made to offer protection are copied too. In this case counterfeits offer little or no protection to the wearer.

 

12. Telephones, telecommunications equipment, components and accessories

 

Whilst the copying of branded telecommunications equipment is rare there is a worrying trend to copy accessories such as phone covers and batteries. Re-chargeable batteries for such products are manufactured to high safety standards as are the charging units. Cheaper copies of such products have been reported to catch fire during charging or even use!

 

13. Computer equipment, components and accessories (i.e. batteries and chargers) [not games and business software]

 

There have been high profile cases that involve the counterfeiting of products such as the Microsoft Mouse. However it is more common to find that high performance components are copied and illegally sold under the guise of respectable recognised brands. The performance and durability of such copies comes into question and the stability of computer systems is also affected by such components leading to data loss and system crashes.

 

To help identify fakes manufacturers of these components have invested heavily in security labelling technologies to mark legitimate products.

 

14. Sound and video recordings (including CD's, DVD's cassettes and other recorded media)

 

Widespread copying of sound and video recordings is made possible by the accessibility of copying equipment and the ease with which this can be operated. Sadly the buyers of such pirate copies experience poor quality sound and vision from such copies. One has to ask the question - Why are people willing to invest in high fidelity sound systems and high resolution vision screens only to watch poor quality recordings?

 

15. Games Software

 

The cost of developing new software, especially games and entertainment products is very high. Such products involve a high investment and required very skilled and talented people to design and write the coding. Copies of Games undermine the desire of companies to invest in the future. Making and selling of new games will be affected by such activity.

 

16. Domestic entertainment equipment (including TV's, radios, CD and DVD players and electronic games apparatus)

 

Copies of popular brands of TV's and other entertainment equipment are imported into the domestic market by criminals who have little regard for safety. All products such as these have to conform to stringent safety standards. Copies of such products offer no protection from fire hazards and can damage recordings too.

 

17. Business Software

 

Business Software is often copied. In some countries more copies circulate than originals. Whilst this may not be the case in Europe the level of pirate software in use is still concerning. The practice of not purchasing sufficient licenses to balance the level of users on the system is now gaining the attention of suppliers of such products. Directors of businesses now face the threat of prosecution if they allow more than a pre-agreed number of users on the system.

 

Look for certificates of authenticity when purchasing new computers that come with pre-loaded software.

 

18. Automotive and Aeronautical Parts (Including Tractors, Agricultural Machinery and Earth Movers/Heavy Construction Plant).

 

Automobile replacement parts for popular makes and models are now the subject of attention for some suppliers of 'suspect goods'. Again health and safety can be affected as such parts do not meet the safety or legal requirements set by legislation. For instance counterfeit brake pads made of compressed straw and phoney body panels with no crash resistance or strengthening are offered as 'genuine' replacements by crooked dealers. The most vulnerable parts are those 'generic' components that suit most makes of vehicle such as brake pads, spark plugs, clutch linings and radiators/hoses. In some cases - especially in the aeronautical industry counterfeit parts are disguised as factory reconditioned components.

 

19. Fashion accessories, jewellery, watches, sunglasses and other eyewear

 

Keeping pace with fashion can be a costly business. By purchasing leading fake brands you certainly create the right impression - but at what cost? Sunglasses that have poor optical performance can damage your eyes. Jewellery that is badly coated can also cause adverse skin and allergy reactions.

 

20. Toys and Gadgets and novelty items

 

One unsurprising fact about the suppliers of all fakes - they have little regard for child safety. There are many recorded instances of fake toys reported. Popular brands of toys such as dolls and merchandise linked to films are much sought after at Christmas or after a new release of a 'cult' movie. Memorabilia can be in short supply and there are always stocks of fakes to fill demand. Of course the suppliers of such fakes have not bothered to check or design safety features into these goods. Baby toys that are painted with toxic finishes and toy bricks made from recycled plastics that prove unhygienic are two cases in point.

 

21. Textiles

 

In the same manner that clothing and sportswear attracts counterfeiters so do the products of textile manufacturers. Many textiles are 'man made' and have taken years of research to perfect. Natural textiles too such as wool require specific treatments and quality control processes to ensure that they are as near perfect as possible before being processed. Specific designs of textiles that are in them selves a 'statement' of quality - Burberry - for instance are also copied. Such copies carry none of the attributes of the genuine product and can be hazardous to wear. For instance cloth treated with fire retardants or material that is suitable for those with hypersensitive skin carries a premium price. Such finishes are rarely found on counterfeits.

 

22. Sporting goods not included above (i.e. Tennis Racquets, footballs etc.)

 

It's a well known fact that participators in sport quickly recognise the attributes of specific sporting goods whether they are certain brands of golf clubs or ski's the principle remains clear, certain branded products deliver better use characteristics than others. Again, design and construction are the important issues that affect performance and such activities require development.

 

When pirates copy sporting brands they do so with no finesse and little knowledge of sport they are targeting. Most are only interested in copying a product in enough detail to fool the purchaser into parting with their money. Using copies of popular branded sporting goods whilst participating in any sport will not improve your performance at all, it will most likely make you less skilful than you really are.

 

23. Household (and industrial) Electrical Products parts and components (i.e. switchgear, power tools, lighting and electrical sub-assemblies)

 

It's a little known fact that suppliers of all electrical goods rely on an intricate network of sub-assembly manufacturers. Such manufacturers depend upon their reputation for quality and performance to ensure that they continue to stay in business. Since much of their material finds its way into the hands of 'wholesalers' - who trade on to the major brand owners - there is sometimes the threat that copies of electronic components can enter the system in some volume. There have been many instances of severe safety failures resulting in injury and even death because of counterfeit components in electrical goods. When this happens the damage to reputation is harmed in a way that is difficult to repair. There is little the public can do about such threats and brand owners (and on-sellers) need to ensure that they check the provenance of parts in great detail before they are incorporated in the finished product.

 

24. Chemicals (including agro-chemicals and paints) and Household products (including cleaning products and soap powders)

 

Yet again it's the industries that depend upon expensive research and development that attract the pirates. The chemical industry is one case in point. A great deal of research and development goes into the manufacture of chemicals. Such development also requires specialist manufacturing plant and also a high degree of safety measures to ensure that toxic and harmful chemicals do not damage the environment during manufacture or effect the health of the workforce.

 

Those that copy these chemical formulations do so on the cheap and can then benefit from such activities because of the savings they can make either in health and safety or by not having a research and development program.

 

25. Goods not classified

 

Not surprisingly, given the variety of goods covered in the sections 1 through 24, there are still products that can be mentioned that are not covered elsewhere. Films, single use power cells and power tools for use in the home and garden are illustrations of the sheer variety of the pirated products on offer.

 

Some enterprising pirates in China have even attempted to copy entire cars, trucks and buses. This requires a good deal of ingenuity and considerable capital outlay. In this they are supported by a well equipped auto industry that makes domestic marques too. One of the main reasons that China was prevented from joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for so long was the lack of respect for international property laws. Whilst the problem of counterfeiting is still a major concern in China the Government is now attempting to bring the problem under control.