German Anti-Counterfeiting Association

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16.12.2022: APM Press release

Online trade particularly affected by product piracy
EU Commission and EUIPO publish IPR enforcement statistics for 2021 more

27.10.2022: DIGITAL SERVICES ACT In the official Journal of the European Union

The Digital Services Act was published today in the Official Journal of the European Union, meaning it will come into force in 20 days and will largely apply from February 27, 2024. more

Online Seminar "Brand Protection at TIKTOK"

01.02.2023

Seminar Series "The Brand Protection Manager":

08.02.2023: "Border seizure proceedings: Further options for action after suspension of the transfer"

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.

Fact 3

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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

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."