Fake It Till You… Get Caught? EU Cracks Down on Counterfeit Trade

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A new report from the EUIPO and OECD—Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025—reveals a troubling trend: counterfeiting is not only thriving, it’s accelerating. In 2021, an estimated USD 467 billion worth of fake goods circulated globally, with the EU accounting for a staggering USD 117 billion. While global trade has brought speed and connectivity, it has also opened the door to large-scale abuse by counterfeiters. The message is clear: stronger enforcement, smarter prevention, and vigilant IP protection are more critical than ever.

How the Fakes Are Winning (and What They’re Targeting)

Gone are the days of knockoff handbags in shady markets. Today’s counterfeiters are slick—they’re producing goods closer to where you buy them, using low-surveillance free trade zones, and slipping through customs via postal services in teeny-tiny “under-the-radar” parcels. China and Hong Kong are still the main players, but the whole world’s pitching in. Nearly half of all product categories are affected—think sneakers, phones, handbags, and even electronics. It’s not just bad for business; it’s unsafe for consumers and a win for organized crime.

It’s Time to Team Up (Yes, That Means You Too, Shipping Companies)

If you think this is just a customs problem, think again. The report calls for a squad effort—governments, postal services, shipping firms, and rights holders need to coordinate, share intel, and act fast. The pandemic threw a wrench in trade, but fakes bounced back stronger than ever. Without better collaboration, enforcement is playing whack-a-mole on a global scale.

Don’t Let the Fakes Win—Protect Your Brand

Whether you’re building a brand or managing an empire, you can’t afford to ignore IP protection. Not sure where to start? Our legal experts are here to help you guard your business like a pro. Let’s make sure your stuff doesn’t end up on the counterfeiters’ to-do list—get in touch today!

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Text: ‘EUIPO and OECD Publish a Report on Counterfeit and Pirated Trade’. EUIPO, https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/observatory/euipo-and-oecd-publish-a-report-on-counterfeit-and-pirated-trade. Accessed 12 June 2025.

Photo: 'Women Selling Footwear in Traditional Market' by Lucas Tran: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-selling-footwear-in-traditional-market-28902764/