Alarming number of counterfeit seizures at EU borders
Serious concerns have been raised about the extent of counterfeiting, following publication of the latest figures on counterfeit product seizures at EU borders in 2005.
Based on data provided by of EU member states’ customs authorities, in 2005, more than 75 million pirated or counterfeit items were seized. The majority of these were cigarettes (43%), followed by textile products and accessories (15%), CDs, DVDs and tapes (13%), and foodstuff, alcoholic and other drinks (7%).
Union des Fabricants (Unifab), the French anti counterfeiting association, said that counterfeiting has created a real parallel economy, paralysing innovation and stifling investment in the European brands industry to the detriment of EU employment. The organisation recommends that deepening co-operation both at EU and international level, and mobilising all institutions and concerned parties, is the only way to tackle the problem.
