Holiday bargains: Beware of fakes!

From sunglasses and handbags to jerseys: The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) is warning against counterfeit branded goods during the holiday season. Product and brand piracy particularly harms small and medium-sized enterprises, according to the DPMA.

The German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMAThe German consumer protection agency (DPO) warns against buying cheap brand-name goods at holiday destinations during the holiday season. Consumers who travel from [location omitted] supposed bargain Those who are tempted by things like handbags, sunglasses, or football jerseys often risk… Acquisition of counterfeit goods. 

"Don't give counterfeits a chance, even on vacation!" Opt for originals – and don't be tempted to buy fakes.", appeals DPMA President Eva Schewior"Product and brand piracy harms the companies that invest money in the development and production of originals, costs tens of thousands of jobs in Germany, and reduces prosperity for us all. In some cases, counterfeit products even endanger people's health." Studies have also shown connections between Product and brand piracy and organized crime.

Current developments

Before the start of this year's Football World Cup Spanish investigators seized 66.000 counterfeit football jerseys and equipment parts. These goods were apparently intended for sale during the tournamentThe operation "Cleantrade"This was carried out in cooperation with national, European and international police authorities, supported by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPOThe German Patent and Trade Mark Office regularly collaborates with the EUIPO to ensure the availability of relevant information. Trademark and design protection to raise awareness. One contribution to this is the publication and analysis of current data.

For example, according to a current EUIPO survey 72 percent of European consumers agree Design as an important factor in purchasing decisionsAmong 18- to 24-year-olds, this figure rises to 80 percent. 70 percent of Germans surveyed would Pay more for better-designed products.

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Fashion, furniture and electronics were particularly damaged.

Especially design-oriented industries According to the EUIPO, such as fashion, furniture and electronics are affected by counterfeitsAccording to the European Union Intellectual Property Office, product piracy and unauthorized imitations cause significant damage in the European market. clothing industry Annual damages amount to around twelve billion euros, in which Handbag and jewelry industry That's about 2,7 billion euros. In Germany, the damage in these sectors amounts to more than 3,3 billion euros..

Especially Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at risk., as they often offer only a few distinctive designs and have limited resources to monitor and defend their rights.

Intellectual property rights are of great importance to the economy

Spiritual Property rights Designs, patents, utility models, and trademarks play a central role for the European and especially the German economy. According to a Evaluation by the EUIPO and DPMA questions Intellectual property-intensive industries account for 30,6 percent of all jobs in the European Union between 2021 and 2023. In Germany, the share is higher at 34,1 percent. At the same time, these sectors generate 47,9 percent of the EU's gross domestic productFor Germany, the figure is 47,2 percent. Wages and salaries in these sectors are, on average, significantly higher than in other sectors.

Patents, trademarks, utility models and designs form the basis for original manufacturers to protect their products and services. Secure and enforce rights can. The German Patent and Trade Mark Office works in cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, international institutions, and German organizations such as the tariff against product piracy.

The DPMA website provides further information on the topic of product and brand piracy.

Source: German Patent and Trademark Office

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