The EUIPO Observatory launched an awareness campaign earlier this month titled Risks and Damages Posed by IPR Infringement in Europe.

It is part of the annual Pan-European Media Campaign and also marked World Anti-Counterfeiting Day on 8 June.

The Observatory states:

The COVID 19 pandemic and the resulting rise in online shopping and consumption of digital content, has shed new light on the risks and damages posed by intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement in Europe and put the dangers for consumers under a microscope.

On average nearly 1 in 10 Europeans (9%) claimed that they were misled into buying counterfeits, and a third of Europeans (33%) wondered whether a product they had bought was original. Counterfeits represent 6.8% of EU imports worth EUR 121 billion, damaging legitimate business and notably SMEs . Intellectual Property is one of Europe’s most valuable assets, and a key element in our social and economic recovery.

IP crime, often interlinked with other types of illegal activities, has recently been reinstated as one of the top ten EU priorities in the fight against organised crime.

The resources available as part of the campaign include country-specific information, a video and infographic (pictured), which are all available on the dedicated web page in various languages.

The resources provide data on counterfeiting, analysis of the threat posed, and new trends in business and technology affecting enforcement.

MARQUES encourages readers to review and download the material and share with stakeholders (staff, customers, etc) where relevant.