Counterfeit Goods
The market for counterfeit goods in the UK is worth £1.3billion of which £900million funds organised crime.
Counterfeiting is the very opposite of fair competition, where manufacturers compete with each other on the basis of quality and price. The counterfeiter sets out to make money by deception, deliberately assuming the identity of an already established and reputable manufacturer. This means that counterfeiters avoid both the costs incurred and the taxes payable by legitimate companies. Counterfeiters also pay no VAT.
Market traders selling fake sportswear may seem harmless but they are just the tip of a very nasty iceberg. Behind them are global production and distribution networks run by major criminal gangs, using the huge profits from counterfeiting to fund other serious organised crimes such as drugs, guns and people-smuggling, child pornography, and even terrorist activity. Counterfeiting can also lead to job losses which in turn brings its own set of problems.
Counterfeit goods can be wide ranging and include:
- DVDs - Clothes
- Perfume - Cigarettes
- Footwear - Watches
- Alcohol - Condoms
- Sunglasses
Car boot sales and counterfeit goods
Visiting markets and car boot sales is a major leisure activity these days in the UK.
Unfortunately, these are ideal venues for the trade in counterfeit goods, which has a high return with very low risk.
Markets and car boot sales are not uniformly regulated, so they offer easy opportunities to those who trade illegally.
Each weekend, all over the UK, many such venues are awash with fake sportswear, perfume, cigarettes, CDs, DVDs, computer games, and even fake household products such as batteries, disposable razors, soap and detergent.
Many shoppers who knowingly buy fake goods will be shocked to learn that their money is going straight into the pockets of organised criminals, whose activities are damaging local communities through their links to organised crime, anti-social behaviour and exploitation.
The link between the trade in counterfeit goods and organised crime such as people trafficking and the drugs trade is also well-established.
Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards team works in partnership with the police to carry out regular raids at local car boot sales to target those selling counterfeit goods.
Some facts about car boot sale counterfeit purchases:
33% of buyers of pirated DVDs purchase them at car boots sales and markets.
29% of pirated CDs bought come from car boot sales or markets.
Criminals have made up to £378 million from DVD & CD copyright theft.
Other hidden dangers of buying counterfeit goods
By purchasing counterfeit goods, consumers are not only supporting illegal and criminal trades but they could also be potentially damaging their own health as fake products haven't been put through the same rigorous safety standards as the genuine good have.
- Fake spirits such as vodka have been known to cause liver damage and in some cases blindness
- Counterfeit perfume can often burn skin or leave a nasty rash
- Fake sunglasses often offer no UVA protection, causing eye damage
- Fake cigarettes often contain unknown chemicals
- Counterfeit children's toys can often be unsafe with unsuitable small parts and children's clothes may be inflammable.
Consumer awareness is key to stopping consumers buying fake goods.
Anyone with information about counterfeit goods can contact Trading Standards Confidential on 01785 330356.
For more information about counterfeiting visit the Anti Counterfeiting Group||| website.
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