German Anti-Counterfeiting Association

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You too can enjoy the benefits of membership

25.11.2024: APM Press Release

Black Friday 2024: Those who only look for the cheapest offer could be in for a nasty surprise. more

13.11.2024: EU Customs statistics 2023

The EU Commission's Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) and the EUIPO have published the EU customs statistics for 2023: More than 152 million counterfeit products worth around 3.4 billion euros were seized at the EU's external borders and in the internal market - 77 and 68 percent more respectively than in 2022. more

18.-22.11.2024: APM Travelling Exhibition on Tour

The APM Travelling Exhibition will be shown from 18. -22. November 2024 at the FOM Hochschulzentrum Hamburg more

12.06.2024: APM Press Release

World Anti-Counterfeiting day & The European Championship more

03 April 2025 - Online Seminar

"Supply Chain Intelligence for Brand Protection: using trade data and open sources to map and disrupt illicit trade - Key insights about illicit trade in different regions and industry sectors"

Fake
Goods

Counterfeit products account for 5.8% of EU imports.

5,8%

(Source: OECD / EUIPO, The Global Trade in Counterfeit Goods, 2021)

Original or
Forgery?

One in three Europeans is not sure whether a product they buy is genuine or counterfeit.

33%

(Source: EUIPO, IP Perception 2020)

Dangerous counterfeits

In 2019, European customs authorities classified nearly 16 percent of counterfeit products seized as potentially dangerous.

70% of companies affected

According to a VDMA study, 70% of companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector are affected by product piracy.

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Dangerous counterfeits

36.8% of counterfeit products seized at EU borders are potentially hazardous to health or safety.

36,8%

(Source: European Commission, EU customs statistics for 2018)

Infringements of trademark rights

The majority of customs seizures concern infringements of trademark rights.

(Quelle: Deutsche Zollstatistik)

Consequences of product and brand piracy

Loss of sales
Damage to the brand
Unjustified warranty claims / claims for damages
Job losses
Lost tax revenue
Dangers for consumers
State and private costs for combating product piracy

Damage in
millions

The value of counterfeits seized in Germany has risen continuously in recent years.

(Source: Deutsche Zollstatistik)

Apprehensions of
Counterfeits

Most of the counterfeits are found in postal traffic. Most of the items come from online trade.

(Quelle: Deutsche Zollstatistik)

IPR-intensive economic sectors

(Source: EUIPO & EPA, IPR-intensive industries and economic performance in the EU, 2019)

IPR-intensive industries in the EU secure approx.

of foreign trade.

Registration of Community trade marks

(Source: EUIPO Statistik, Stand: Mai 2022)

Product piracy has many faces – Health risks, quality defects, disappointed expectations.

"Product piracy is life-threatening when spare parts for cars or airplanes are counterfeited. Product piracy destroys jobs when companies lose their sales markets. Quality and value work deserve our protection. To this end, the Action Circle makes its meaningful contribution."

"The German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) works in the interest of its customers through numerous cooperations worldwide to ensure that the value of intellectual property is appreciated and innovations are effectively protected. The APM pursues the same goals with crowd-pleasing and demonstrative activities that complement our actions well."

"We must preserve and protect prosperity and well-paying, secure jobs. Product and brand piracy pose a threat to the future of work."