Posts Tagged: "Pirated Goods"

The Growing Problem of Online Counterfeit Products

Many states have statutes that make counterfeiting a state crime, but often only if the trademark is registered in that state. According to Lo Cicero, state registrations give local prosecutors and law enforcement officers jurisdiction – and they may be more able and willing to tackle local counterfeiters than are busy federal prosecutors. Thus, where budgets will allow and brand owners have significant counterfeit concerns obtaining state trademark registrations in at least several states, including California and New York, could be a worthwhile investment.

The shocking dangers of buying fakes

The latest estimate from the International Trademark Association (INTA) notes the global impact of piracy and counterfeiting will hit $4.2 trillion (USD) by 2022… While buying a “knockoff” product may not seem to present harm on the surface, a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warns that purchasing counterfeit or pirated goods present “a significant economic threat that undermines innovation and hampers economic growth.” … Fire, electric shock, injury and, at times, fatalities are just some of the risks in using a counterfeit product. Within the past few years, several highly publicized electrocution deaths have been linked to counterfeit iPhone adapters.