Rocio is an experienced journalist specialising in business and financial markets, as well as the food, beverage and retail sectors.

During her 15 years’ experience she has worked for Europa Press in Madrid covering economics and has contributed to numerous titles including Estrategias de ...

The market for counterfeits in Spain: 20% of citizens intentionally purchase products

17 Jul 2023  |  www.cope.es  |  Spanish  |  Counterfeit Goods

In the past year, 20% of Spaniards have intentionally purchased counterfeit products, with the issue causing up to a 10% loss in total sales for Spanish commerce and manufacturers, amounting to 6.766 billion euros annually. The Spanish National Police, particularly the Intellectual and Industrial Property Crimes Section led by Inspector María Cirre, are actively investigating criminal networks involved in the import and export of counterfeit goods. A significant operation was conducted on June 27, targeting a large volume of counterfeit textiles.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Law Enforcement

Factual

Factuality Scale

I am a London-based writer with extensive experience of writing and editing copy on politics, economics and business. My articles have appeared in many of the world's leading current affairs publications, including The Economist, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, Foreign Policy and others. 

I work ...

Former U.S. Army Special Forces Member Sues High-Profile Gulf Lawyer For $67 Million

03 Feb 2023  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Scott Butler, a former U.S. Army Special Forces member, is suing Essam Al-Tamimi, founder of Al-Tamimi & Company, for $67 million, alleging that Al-Tamimi used improper means to destroy their joint business, Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (APA). The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts and New York, also names UAE-based Invest Bank. Butler claims Al-Tamimi refused to invest in APA, used political connections to arrest him and seize his assets, and registered APA in the British Virgin Islands to award himself a larger stake. Butler, who has since founded Arabian Company and American APA, accuses Al-Tamimi of continuing to interfere with his business. Al-Tamimi and Invest Bank have not responded to the allegations.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Legal Dispute Business Conflict Intellectual Property

Vincent Kasozi is a journalist based in Kampala, Uganda. Vincent has over a decade of experience in Broadcast and digital journalism.

Government has unveiled a plan to impound counterfeit mobile phones

02 Feb 2022  |  sanyufm.com  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

The government has announced a plan to seize and destroy counterfeit mobile phones sold in the country. State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku, revealed this during a parliamentary committee session chaired by Moses Magogo. The committee is reviewing a petition by MP Bashir Kazibwe concerning poor telecommunication services. Counterfeit phones, identified by illegitimate IMEI numbers, will be incinerated once confiscated.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Telecommunications

Informative

Factuality Scale

Stacey Knott is an award-winning multi-media journalist recently returned to New Zealand, after working in Ghana for five years. 

In Ghana, she was a regular text stringer for Agence France-Presse (AFP) and a multimedia freelance correspondent for Voice of America (VOA). 

Her byline has ...

COVID-19 Further Unravels Ghana’s Textile Industry

17 Aug 2020  |  Voice of America  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Ghana's textile industry, known for its traditional fabrics like kente and batik, is facing challenges due to counterfeit products from China. Local producer Esther Amate has experienced a decline in her batik business due to cheaper counterfeits. The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced sales, impacting producers like GTP, which has been in operation since 1966. GTP's designs are often copied and smuggled back into Ghana, affecting revenue and the market. GTP collaborates with mPedigree to authenticate their products using technology. The Ghanaian government is considering regulatory measures to protect the industry, including a special stamp and a taskforce to combat counterfeits. GTP remains hopeful, introducing new designs inspired by Ghana's response to the pandemic, despite the risk of them being counterfeited.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Textile Industry COVID-19 Impact

Joan Letting is a result-driven professional with a progressive, with over 6 years of experience. I have contributed to daily content in National and International media. I have worked with The Standard Media Group and Kenya Television Network in Turkana, Nakuru, Baringo, Kericho, Bomet, and Narok. ...

Kenya to Form Agency to Combat Counterfeits and Cheap Imports

17 Mar 2024  |  The Standard  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

The Trade ministry of Kenya is set to establish a new Trade Remedy Agency to combat the issues of counterfeits and the dumping of cheap imports. The agency's formation is backed by legislation that has been signed into law by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo announced the agency's role in investigating and implementing anti-dumping and trade safeguard measures. The ministry will collaborate with the Anti-counterfeit Agency to eliminate counterfeit goods. The announcement was made during the 14th Annual World Congress of the Academy for Global Business Advancement, held at Moi University in Eldoret. Uasin Gishu Trade Executive Emily Kogos expressed the county's intention to work with the national government to enhance the business climate.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Trade Regulations Economic Policy

Shaina McLawrence is a journalist that has worked in various multimedia fast paced environments.

Doug Nairne is a journalist based in New Territories, Hong Kong.

Beijing's phoney war on fakes

27 Jul 2004  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Despite Beijing's claims of a rigorous campaign against intellectual property theft, counterfeit goods remain rampant in markets like Shanghai's Xiangyang Market. The article highlights the ineffectiveness of China's anti-piracy efforts, with vendors openly selling fake luxury items and pirated DVDs. The Shanghai Customs Bureau's reported successes are portrayed as insufficient, and the overall sentiment is critical of the Chinese government's enforcement measures. The narrative underscores the widespread and blatant nature of intellectual property violations across China.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Intellectual Property Theft

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Wandiswa Ntengento is a seasoned journalist based in South Africa. Ntengento has extensive experience in working as a broadcast journalist and producer in over 15 African countries. Over the 12 years in the field, she has built up expertise in broadcast, print and online journalism. She has worked ...

South Africa concerned over sale of bogus auto parts

12 Jun 2022  |  www.africanews.com  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

South Africa's automotive industry is grappling with an influx of counterfeit auto parts, primarily from China, posing significant economic and safety risks. The South African police recently seized fake vehicle bearings worth nearly 200 million USD. Experts warn that these bogus parts can be life-threatening. Fixxr, a mobile mechanic repair start-up, aims to guide consumers towards accredited parts suppliers. The Tyre Equipment and Parts Association is working on a whistle-blower hotline to report illicit activities. Despite efforts, the counterfeit market persists due to economic challenges and consumer affordability issues.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Automotive Industry

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Brian Obuya is an Investigative journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Publishing for The Daily Nation and NTV - Both being outlets of East Africa's biggest Media House; Nation Media Group. Covering Everything News but mostly Conflict and Human Rights Stories.

Counterfeit Goods Worth Sh20 Million Seized at Kenya-Tanzania Border

17 Mar 2024  |  The Standard  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Investigative agencies in Kenya seized counterfeit products valued at Sh20 million at the Kenya-Tanzania border. The products included fake literature books, shoes from brands like Nike and Gucci, counterfeit Imperial Leather soaps, and Union door locks. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat piracy, following a KTN News exposé on a book counterfeiting racket. The government has enlisted Brand ID, a South African firm, to help distinguish genuine products from fakes by serializing books with unique codes that can be verified via SMS. Despite these measures, challenges in litigating piracy persist, with counterfeiters often returning to their activities after lax trials. The Kenya Publishers Association has noted a decrease in piracy due to these new security measures.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Piracy Law Enforcement

I am a NCTJ trained journalist based in Berkshire United Kingdom with over 25 years of experience as a national newspaper and broadcast journalist. I have worked for most of the national newspapers and mainstream TV channels covering politics, court, human interest and lifestyle stories. I have ...

Watchfinder & Co’s CEO Arjen van de Vall Talks to us About the Value of Time

23 Dec 2022  |  www.luxuriousmagazine.com  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Watchfinder & Co., founded in 2002 by a group of friends from Kent, specializes in buying, selling, and part-exchanging pre-owned luxury watches. CEO Arjen van de Vall discusses the company's growth, including its acquisition by Richemont in 2018, and its extensive trade programme in partnership with luxury brands like Cartier and Piaget. The company operates globally with showrooms in major cities and emphasizes quality and authenticity, addressing the growing issue of counterfeit watches. Watchfinder & Co. has also removed gender categorization from its listings, focusing instead on size to broaden customer appeal.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Luxury Watches E-commerce

Balanced

Factuality Scale

John Zarocostas is an international correspondent and broadcaster based in Geneva, Switzerland, for English language Newspapers, Magazines, Television, and Radio, outlets in Europe and North America. In December, 2016 he was awarded by the Geneva Press Club the "Prix Nicolas Bouvier," for written ...

Shiseido Joins L’Oréal in Trademarks List

18 Mar 2019  |  wwd.com  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Shiseido Co. Ltd. saw a significant increase in international trademark application filings in 2018, ranking seventh globally, while L’Oréal ranked second despite a decrease in filings. The World Intellectual Property Organization's report highlights the fashion and beauty industry's efforts to protect their brands, especially against online and traditional retail counterfeiting. The U.S. led in trademark applications, followed by Germany and China, with South Korea and Japan showing the fastest growth. A joint OECD and EU Intellectual Property Office report revealed that counterfeit goods represent 3.3 percent of global trade, with the majority originating from China and Hong Kong, and the U.S., France, and Italy being the most affected.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Intellectual Property Trademark Filings

Factual

Factuality Scale

Cyril Zenda is an African freelance journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe. His work, which covers southern Africa and focuses on development, social justice, human rights, climate change and the environment, has appeared in several international publications such as TRT World Magazine, African ...

The counterfeit components delaying Africa’s energy transition

01 Oct 2024  |  www.fairplanet.org  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

Counterfeit and substandard green technology products, particularly from China, are hindering Africa's energy transition by flooding markets with poor-quality solar products. This issue exacerbates energy poverty and environmental degradation, as consumers are forced to rely on traditional energy sources. Organizations like SolarAid are working to mitigate the problem by training locals in solar product repair and recycling. The article highlights the need for stricter regulations and standards across African countries to ensure the quality of imported solar products and reduce the continent's growing e-waste problem.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods Energy Transition Climate Change

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Zofia Zwieglinska is a fashion and sustainability journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

TikTok Shop is driving sales for resale companies, even as fakes flood the platform

27 Oct 2023  |  www.glossy.co  |  English  |  Counterfeit Goods

MyGemma, a luxury resale company, is leveraging TikTok Shop to drive sales through live streams, with a high conversion rate and significant sales in handbags, jewelry, and watches. Despite the platform's challenges with counterfeit goods, TikTok Shop is partnering with AI-powered luxury authenticator Entrupy to improve authentication processes. MyGemma, which authenticates its products in New York, is the only reseller not required to use Entrupy. The importance of social commerce is highlighted, with peer recommendations and influencer relationships being key to success. Established platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba are also mentioned as facing authenticity issues.

Tags:

Counterfeit Goods E-commerce Social Media

Informative

Factuality Scale