Protecting your brand from counterfeits

In January 2024, the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) released a robust study to assess the economic impact of counterfeiting in sales and employment in the clothing (including footwear), cosmetics and toys industries. Among the staggering statistics, it highlights that the clothing industry alone suffers an annual loss of almost €12 billion, accounting for 5.2% of the sector's overall turnover. This rises to 8.7% for the toy industry and 4.8% for cosmetics.

In the global economy, estimated consumer goods losses are in the trillions. And with online shopping now the norm, the proliferation of counterfeit goods poses severe risks not only to businesses, but also to consumers.