Counterfeiting and Fakes

Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting is the unauthorised use of someone’s Registered Trade Mark or Copyright.

A Trade Mark is any sign, including words, designs, letters, numerals or the shape of goods and its packaging,  which can be used to tell goods or services apart from someone else’s.

Copyright is a way of protecting work - from books to computer programs, plays to photographs, films and TV programmes to music recordings.

The problem with fakes

• Fakes are often produced by organised crime gangs to launder drugs money.
• Fakes such as car parts, perfumes, alcohol and toys do not undergo any safety tests and may cause harm to the user.
• The cost of counterfeit goods to Britain in 2009 was an estimated £1.3 billion with £900 million of this flowing to organised crime.  
• Worldwide loss of 380,000 jobs as a direct result of counterfeiting crime.

What we do

We work closely with the Police and private investigators to carry out targeted inspections to combat counterfeiting and investigate any information provided by businesses and members of the public.

What you can do

The most important thing you can do is to say ‘NO’ to counterfeit goods and follow this simple checklist:

•  Be wary of bargains. Remember - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
•  Check the quality of the goods. Fakes will not be as good as the real thing.
•  Check labels and packaging for spelling mistakes and poorly printed logos.
•  Be careful at markets, car boot sales, pubs and computer fairs, or other places where you may have difficulty contacting the seller after purchase.

Anyone involved in the illegal supply of counterfeit goods can face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. The offences relate to the production, sale or having the items in your possession for sale as well as assisting in any of these.

This unfair and often dangerous trade affects local businesses and consumers.  If you think someone is selling fakes in Argyll & Bute please contact Trading Standards, your call will be dealt in strict confidence.

Business advice

If your business is based in Argyll and Bute and you need advice about this subject or other consumer and fair trading matters, you can contact Trading Standards.