Counterfeit combat

A French member of the European Parliament has asked the Commission how it intends to involve consumers in the fight against counterfeiting.
In a preamble to three questions, Jérôme Lavrilleux said that a study by the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) had found that counterfeiting costs the European economy almost €60 billion.
‘The EUIPO estimates that counterfeit products account for up to five percent of the EU’s imports, valued at €85 billion per annum,’ said Lavrilleux.
‘In addition, measures against imports of such products seem feeble in relation to the amounts of money and quantities of goods involved.
‘According to Commission figures, customs services intercepted 41 million items of counterfeit goods in 2016. The total value of the equivalent genuine products would have been in the region of €672 million.
‘This poses a serious threat to IPR-intensive sectors, which account for 42 percent of European GDP and 28 percent of employment in the European Union. Nearly 434,000 jobs are directly threatened.’
Lavrilleux asked:
‘How will the Commission step up measures to combat counterfeit products at EU and member state levels?
‘Does the Commission intend to strengthen the regulatory framework and harmonise national legislation so that they become stronger deterrents?
‘How will the Commission make consumers more aware and involve them more in combating counterfeiting?’
Lavrilleux’s questions are due to be answered by the Commission in writing.