News

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.

The latest EUIPO design reforms bring not only procedural clarity but also new tools for asserting your rights — starting with a brand-new registration symbol and updated rules for invalidity.

In early May 2025, EUIPO (the European Union Intellectual Property Office) has updated the rules for registering designs. These changes aim to make it easier for designers and companies to protect their work by through simple digital tools reflective of the current online world standard. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new—and what stays the same.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has boosted global trade—but it’s also being misused. A new OECD–EUIPO report reveals how counterfeiters are exploiting new infrastructure to move fake goods more efficiently. Here’s what businesses and regulators need to know.