Monthly Archives: July 2016

Impact of Counterfeit Toys and Games in the EU

 According to António Campinos, President of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM):

We are completing a picture of the economic impact of counterfeiting in a dozen economic sectors across the EU. Today´s report shows us the extent to which the toys and games sector is impacted by the presence of counterfeits in the market. Through this reporting, we aim to help policymakers in their work, by providing data and evidence-based studies, and to help consumers make more informed choices.”

IPR Infringement of Toys and Games (1) (1)

The report Campinos is referring to is “The Economic Cost of IPR Infringement in Toys and Games,” released in December, 2015 by the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), shortly before the OHIM changed its name to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in March, 2016. For the EU as a whole, the estimated total counterfeiting of games and toys amounts to 12.3% of revenue or about 1.4 billion euros and an estimated 6,150 lost jobs across the EU.

Hardest hit is the city of Berlin, the largest toy manufacturer in the EU, which produces about 40% of total European production. Berlin loses nearly 11% of revenues a year and has lost an estimated 1,500 jobs because of counterfeits.

 

 

Auto Recall Hampered by Counterfeits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRhYmMb-lg

The largest auto recall in history is currently underway and hampered in part by counterfeits. The recall, which will involve 34 million cars and 11 different automakers, is to replace airbags made by Takata, a major supplier of airbags located in Japan. The airbag’s inflator, a metal cartridge loaded with propellant wafers, is faulty and may explode and send metal shards that can injure or even kill the car occupants. (See Youtube video above and website below.)

The recall, however, is hampered in Australia by the discovery of fake Takata airbags. The genuine airbag costs the equivalent of $300 and the fakes go for about $50. The counterfeit part does not have gold plated connectors, the crimping of the cable is not strong enough and it does not use copper wire. The recall in Australia is expected to be over a million and comes less than a year after the Australian government ordered a recall of counterfeit Toyota brake pads that were sold online to unsuspecting customers. The fakes brake pads were discovered in Toyota’s popular HiLux utility vehicle and HiAce van as well as commuter buses.

http://www.airbagrecall.com/home/

Social Media for counterfeits?

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Hilarious products from China and countries that don’t care about trademarks. Funny battle between counterfeiters and patent holders.

 

I thought this was a joke, a conglomeration of counterfeits using misspellings of well known marks, like Nike spelled NKie; Sony spelled Fony; Adidas spelled Abibas.

Misspelling a well known brand is a dodge used by counterfeiters to get their fakes past customs. However, the ruse only draws attention. Nonetheless, this collection of misspellings is funny . . .

https://www.facebook.com/MadeInChinaCOPY/photos

https://www.instagram.com/made_in_china_fp/?hl=hrk