Information
Information
- For companies
- For consumers
- For schools
- Facts and figures
Companies
Product piracy occurs in a wide variety of industries. As soon as a product is successful, there is also a risk that it will be counterfeited. There are numerous ways and possibilities of protection. Here you will find initial information and contacts to help you take the first steps.
- Here you can find further information:
- Study on the importance of IP-intensive industries for the European economy (EPO/EUIPO, 2022).
- Overview of e-commerce platforms and the most important tools to protect your rights
- Homepage of the IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP)
- Publications by the EUIPO Observatory on issues regarding Intellectual Property and infringements
- IP Helpdesk by the European Commission
Offices and authorities in Germany
Here you can find further information:
Customs statistics
- EU Customs Statistics 2020 / 2019 / Archive
- German customs statistics on industrial property protection for the year 2021 / 2020 / Archive
Studies
- EUIPO: Status report on infringements of intellectual property rights 2020 / 2019
- Study on the global trade in counterfeits (EUIPO/OECD, 2021)
- Brief report on the economic damage caused by product and brand piracy, (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft, 2019).
- Overview study on intellectual property infringements (EUIPO, 2018).
- Situation Report on Counterfeiting and Piracy in the European Union (Europol/EUIPO, 2015).
- Study on the importance of IP-intensive industries for the European economy (EPO/EUIPO, 2016).
- Study on EU citizens’ perception of intellectual property (EUIPO, 2017).
- Number of trademark registrations of German companies at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- Results of the OECD Study on the Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy (2016).
- Ernst & Young – Study on product piracy “Intellectual Property Protection – Strategies for effective intellectual property protection” (2012)
Offices and authorities in Germany
Consumers
More than one-third of consumers say they have unknowingly bought a counterfeit at least once. However, counterfeit products can pose quality defects, safety or health risks. In the past, European customs authorities have classified up to 40 percent of seized counterfeits as potentially hazardous to health. However, warranty and damage claims regularly come to nothing because the suppliers remain anonymous.
- APM e.V. consumer brochure (2019)
- Watchlist Internet – Trademarkcounterfeits
- “Counterfeit brands: What to look out for when shopping on vacation and online” (Verbraucherzentrale Niedersachsen)
- Product and brand piracy website of the World Bearing Assiciation (WBA)
- The consumer center:“Eight signs by which you can recognize a fake store“(2017)
- Awareness platform Only Original, a Swiss initiative of Stop Piracy
- DENIC eG, the registry for .de domains, warns against fake stores on the Internet more
- European Consumer Centre (ECC) brochure “Is it safe to buy counterfeit goods?”
- Consumer brochure“Unsafe products in online trade – information, tips and recommendations” from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
- Reportage of the NDR format “Panorama – Die Reporter” about the billion dollar business with counterfeits from China
- European Commission consumer brochure
- The consumer advice centers can assist you in asserting claims under civil law
- Leaflet counterfeit drugs
- Information page on the “Authorized Online Retailer” seal of the Association of Distributors of Cosmetic Products e.V.
- UN information page on buying counterfeits on vacation
Here you can find further information:
- APM e.V. consumer brochure (2019)
- Watchlist Internet – Trademarkcounterfeits
- “Counterfeit brands: What to look out for when shopping on vacation and online” (Verbraucherzentrale Niedersachsen)
- Website on product and brand piracy of the World Bearing Assiciation (WBA)
- The consumer center:“Eight signs by which you can recognize a fake store“(2017)
- Awareness platform Only Original, a Swiss initiative of Stop Piracy
- DENIC eG, the registry for .de domains, warns against fake stores on the Internet more
- European Consumer Centre (ECC) brochure “Is it safe to buy counterfeit goods?”
- Consumer brochure“Unsafe products in online trade – information, tips and recommendations” from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
- Reportage of the NDR format “Panorama – Die Reporter” about the billion dollar business with counterfeits from China
- European Commission consumer brochure
- The consumer centers can assist you in asserting claims under civil law
- Leaflet counterfeit drugs
- Information page on the “Authorized Online Retailer” seal of the Association of Distributors of Cosmetic Products e.V.
- UN information page on buying counterfeits on vacation
Schools
Intellectual property is omnipresent in our everyday lives and of existential importance for our modern economy. At the same time, counterfeit products are often bought by young people in particular. Respect for and protection of intellectual property should therefore already be addressed in schools. Here you will find some assistance.
- “Originals Shape the Future” – teaching materials for grades 5-7 and 8-12 and for teacher training on the subject of intellectual property protection
- “Intellectual Property Teaching Kit/IP Basics (PDF)” – Teaching material in German from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) PowerPoint.
Facts & Figures
- EUIPO: Status report on infringements of intellectual property rights 2020 / 2019
- Study on the global trade in counterfeits (EUIPO/OECD, 2021)
- Brief report on the economic damage caused by product and brand piracy, (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft, 2019).
- Overview study on intellectual property infringements (EUIPO, 2018).
- Situation Report on Counterfeiting and Piracy in the European Union (Europol/EUIPO, 2015).
- Study on the importance of IP-intensive industries for the European economy (EPO/EUIPO, 2016).
- Study on EU citizens’ perception of intellectual property (EUIPO, 2023).
- Number of trademark registrations of German companies at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- Results of the OECD Study on the Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy (2016).
- Ernst & Young – Study on product piracy “Intellectual Property Protection – Strategies for effective intellectual property protection” (2012)
How many counterfeit goods are seized by the authorities every year? What damage does counterfeiting cause in Europe or even on a global scale? Which trends can be observed?
Here you will find relevant statistics and studies on the topic.