On-line gross sales make it harder for the patron to detect counterfeits. Practically one in ten Europeans say they’ve been misled into shopping for counterfeit merchandise, and a 3rd of Europeans marvel concerning the authenticity of a product bought, in accordance with the European Union Workplace for mental property (EUIPO). Confronted with this growth in on-line commerce, customs are mobilizing to guard manufacturers and customers. A glance again at this operation of unprecedented scale.
A European sweep
The operation, initially led by the French customsshortly unfold to a number of European international locations, involving the Europol company, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the UK and the Czech Republic.
The aim of this huge operation: the huge on-line sale of counterfeit gadgets from franchises notably appreciated by youngsters and adolescents. 600 references (in reference to cartoons, manga, superhero movies and collection, and so forth.) are thus involved.
The overwhelming majority of those counterfeits got here from China and have been supplied on the market by Chinese language suppliers, most of them with out authorized existence.
After two years of an ongoing investigation, 5.5 million gadgets have already been seized by French customs officers and 11.2 million gadgets seized or blocked within the different taking part international locations.
