Be aware of
Counterfeit goods
Counterfeit goods are a huge problem and they are becoming more widely available. Technology levels have improved so much that it is easy for criminals to make sophisticated copies.
- What are the most common fakes?
- How can you avoid buying fakes?
- Why should you avoid buying fakes?
- What does the law say?
- What can you do?
What are the most common fakes?
- Designer labelled clothes, watches, perfume and cosmetics.
- Alcohol.
- CDs, DVDs, video and audio tapes.
- Computer software, such as games.
- Vehicle parts.
- DIY tools.
How can you avoid buying fakes?
Top tips to avoid buying fakes include:
- Be suspicious about bargains. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
- Find out if you have any guarantees or after-sales service.
- Examine the quality of the goods.
- Check labels and packaging for misspellings and poor logos.
- Take extra care at street markets, car boot sales, pubs and computer fairs, or in other situations where it may be more difficult to get in touch with the trader after the purchase.
- You should also guard against buying fakes on the Internet. For further information, refer to the factsheet Safe shopping on the Internet.
Why should you avoid buying fakes?
There are lots of reasons why you should not buy fakes - and some that you may not have considered before.
- The goods may be dangerous - from cosmetics that can cause skin rashes to fake car parts that may cause accidents.
- A lot of fake goods fund drug dealers and other organised crime - even terrorism.
- You may end up paying higher taxes because people who deal in fakes don't - consumers like you end up making up the difference.
- You may be putting local people out of jobs because genuine manufacturers can't compete with the criminals making and selling fakes.
- If you buy fake goods and they don't live up to your expectations, you won't get any after sales service or guarantees.
- Fake goods deprive the copyright owner of money that can be used to fund new development.
It is unlawful to apply a registered trade mark to goods, or to make an exact copy of goods which have the benefit of a registered trade mark registration, without the permission of the trade mark owner.
Even where goods are not subject to a trade mark registration, it is sometimes still possible to bring an action against someone making copies of goods, or attaching marks to goods, without the permission of the person already trading in those goods and associated marks. This is called a 'passing-off' action.
You may still be able to use your statutory rights against the seller – as the goods may not be as described. For further advice on this you should contact Consumer Direct.
Copyright may exist in certain goods, such as artistic designs on clothing, computer programs, CDs, DVDs and other electronic media. An infringement of copyright may occur where such goods are copied without the permission of the copyright owner.
Infringing goods are generally known as 'counterfeit' or 'pirated' goods.
If you want to know more about fake goods, or if you think somebody is selling fake goods, please call Consumer Direct.
TThe Alliance Against Counterfeiting & Piracy (AACP) is a coalition of British trade associations and industry enforcement organisations with an interest in preventing counterfeiting and piracy in the UK. It aims to help legitimate business flourish so that consumers are not put at risk by exposure to substandard and potentially dangerous merchandise.
The Government Intellectual Property website has further advice on how to avoid buying fakes.
