Study: Counterfeit Goods Remain Serious Problem, China Still Largest Direct Seller
On April 26th, 2022, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) announced the results of a comprehensive survey into the international counterfeit market. The Dutch-based consumer protection organization found that counterfeit goods are pervasive and most commonly found on the internet. Further, China remains the top source of production for these goods and is the largest online retailer for counterfeit goods. In this article, our Florida counterfeit protection lawyer provides an overview of the GASA’s findings and explains your options if your company is being harmed by counterfeit products.
Finding #1: An Enormous Problem: $500 Billion in Counterfeit Goods Sold Each Year
First and foremost, the GASA emphasizes that the counterfeiting of goods remains a serious global problem. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the international counterfeit goods market is now worth more than $500 billion per year. For reference, this means that 3.3 percent of all global trade is in counterfeit goods. The true extent of the problem may even be more severe; many experts believe that counterfeit goods are underreported.
Finding #2: Majority of Counterfeit Products are Sold Online
The GASA finds that the majority of counterfeit goods are now marketed and sold over the internet. An estimated 73 percent of counterfeit products are sold online. The GASA estimates that 41 percent of counterfeit goods come from websites, 32 percent come from online marketplaces, and the remaining 27 percent come from physical locations.
Finding #3: China is Still the Top Source of Counterfeit Goods
Counterfeit goods can come from a wide variety of different places. Still, China remains by far the largest origin point for global counterfeit products. By some metrics, more than half of counterfeit products in the United States were sourced from China. Many counterfeits are sold to U.S. consumers over the internet, directly from sellers in China.
What to Do If Your Business is Being Harmed by Counterfeit Products
Counterfeiting can cause serious harm to a legitimate business. If your company’s products are being counterfeited, you have a number of different options available to protect your brand. Here are four steps to take to protect your company from counterfeiters:
- Run consistent searches—especially online—for counterfeit products;
- Carefully document evidence where counterfeit products are being offered;
- Challenge counterfeits being offered on web-based marketplaces (Amazon, EBay, etc) by using the company’s internal process; and
- Consult with an experienced counterfeit goods attorney.
A lawyer will be able to help you devise the proper plan of action to protect your brand name and get counterfeit products off the market. In some circumstances, legal action may be required to get websites shut down or products removed from an online or retail marketplace.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation with a Florida Counterfeit Goods Protection Lawyer
At Perkins Law, our Florida brand protection attorney has the skills and experience to help businesses and entrepreneurs to protect their company against the harm caused by counterfeit goods. If you have any questions about defending your brand against counterfeit products, we are more than ready to help. Give us a call now or contact us directly online to set up your fully confidential case review. We provide counterfeit goods protection services throughout Florida.
Source:
globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/04/26/2428714/0/en/Global-Anti-Scam-Alliance-and-ScamAdviser-Study-Suggests-China-is-World-s-Top-Direct-Seller-of-Counterfeit-Goods.html
