More than 300 pairs of counterfeit shoes were reportedly confiscated during footwear and leather goods trade show GDS/GLS in Dusseldorf, which was held September 14-16. Catalogues and CDs featuring fake goods were also seized by customs officials.

Although the counterfeits are often not exact replicas of branded goods, they contain certain trademarked design properties that belong to an established brand, such as a slightly altered company name or logo. Not only can this affect the genuine brand’s profits, inferior goods that are made to resemble the original can also damage its reputation.

A spokesperson for the Essen customs service told local press that legal proceedings against 15 Chinese companies had been set in motion. Offenders now face fines and civil proceedings, and are also likely to be banned from future participation at the fair.

Specially trained officers had also been appointed at the site to prevent fraudsters from taking photographs of new footwear models for replication purposes.