Consumer Guide

Counterfeiting is the intentional imitation of a trademark, a work protected by copyright, a design, a patent or a utility model. The purpose of the imitation is usually for the consumer to believe that they are buying an original. 

Producers of counterfeit goods are becoming increasingly more professional, and it can be difficult to distinguish counterfeits from originals. Earlier, counterfeiting mainly involved luxury goods, but today products such as washing powder, batteries and medicines are copied. It is illegal to produce and sell counterfeit products and in some cases also illegal to buy them. 

Here, you will find a guide to: why not to buy counterfeit products; when is it illegal to buy counterfeits; which precautions you can take to avoid counterfeit goods; and what you can do if you find that the product you have bought is counterfeit.