Have you ever wondered if the products you buy online are really authentic? The truth is that counterfeit products and scams exist in virtually every sector, and it’s important to know how to detect them. In this blog post, we will explain product counterfeiting, the various strategies for detecting it, and some potential solutions that can help registered trademark owners.
So, whether you’re buying for yourself or your company, or if your product is being marketed in a counterfeit way, keep reading to learn more about what measures you can take to protect yourself against fraudulent purchases and how to detect this type of infringement.
Product counterfeiting is growing at an alarming rate
Piracy and counterfeiting pose a serious risk to economies worldwide. A recent study by the European Union Intellectual Property Office indicates that imports of counterfeit and pirated products represent 6.8% of EU imports, worth 121 billion euros. This particularly harms SMEs, whose profits are stolen by large-scale operations that produce and distribute counterfeit products.
Counterfeit medicines, food, cosmetics, and toys circulating in Europe pose a real risk to the health and safety of consumers: these products do not comply with the same standards as genuine articles, but their distribution via the Internet is becoming increasingly easy and lucrative for those behind these illegal operations.
Consumers must be aware of these threats to make informed purchasing decisions, especially if they are considering buying products online that may not be what they seem.
Tips for detecting counterfeit products
Counterfeit products can often be difficult to detect, but with a few helpful tips, you can minimize the chances of buying such products in stores:
- Start by being wary of any price that seems too good to be true; if it’s much cheaper than other sellers and similar items, there’s probably something wrong with the product.
- Similarly, look for telltale signs of lower-than-expected quality; this could include faulty seams or zippers in clothing and leather goods, or odors of glue, plastic, or chemicals emanating from the product itself.
- Additionally, if the packaging is mislabeled or has poor-quality images – as well as if the point of sale is not what you would expect for that type of item – all of these are indications that you may have encountered a counterfeit item.
The most important thing to remember when buying products is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
At ISERN, we help you protect yourself from product counterfeiting
If, instead of being in the position of the potential defrauded buyer, you are the trademark owner and also suspect potential threats, ISERN can help you. As patent and trademark agents, we understand the importance of protecting your brand and your product. That is why we have developed our integrated solution to offer a complete protection package that includes detection, advice, and tailored solutions to ensure maximum respect for rights and the elimination of infringements.
We strive to ensure that you are always up-to-date with information regarding the use of your trademarks or products online, providing you with comprehensive documentation accompanied by actionable plans. If at any time you fear that product counterfeiting is occurring, contact us immediately so that we can help you resolve the situation. At ISERN, we ensure that you maintain total control and confidence over your brand or product. Therefore, we invite you to learn more about our brand protection service.