Italian companies “especially vulnerable” to counterfeiting
03/07/2018
The figure is based on analysis of data from nearly half a million global custom seizures from 2011-2013. This research found that trade in counterfeit goods was worth nearly half a trillion dollars per year, or 2.5% of global imports.
Companies in the US and France, as well as those in Italy, were found to be the hardest hit. The OECD said Italy’s place as a manufacturer of high-value products, protected by intellectual property rights and trademarks, made it “especially vulnerable”.
The report estimated that the total value of counterfeit and pirated Italian products sold worldwide in 2013 was more than €35 billion, equivalent to 4.9% of global Italian manufacturing sales.
It also examined the impact on Italy of imports of counterfeit goods. It found that they were worth over €10 billion in 2013, causing a loss of €7 billion in domestic sales. The majority of imports were from China.
The OECD has said the combination of these two factors resulted in a loss of public revenues in Italy equal to €10 billion. Counterfeiting and piracy was said to have led to the loss of at least 87,000 jobs in Italy in 2013.
In terms of product category, high-tech electronic and electrical products were worst affected by counterfeiting, closely followed by clothing, footwear, leather and related products.
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