This joint report EUIPO-Europol shows the importance of IP crime and how it is interlinked to other criminal activities carried out by organized crime groups who take advantage of the worldwide demand for low-cost goods, misleading consumers into purchasing fake products. This report examines the extensive impact of intellectual property crime, driven by counterfeit goods and pirated content and the sophisticated methods employed by scammers and organized crime groups to commit IP crime and exploit consumer behaviors.
Main findings of the report:
- The report shows that IP crime remains a consistent threat to the EU due to its complexity, scale, demand and impact.
- The report points out that criminal networks involved in IP crime evolve with new technologies and societal changes, including demand.
- There is a link between IP crime and other types of organized crime which function as enablers. The expertise they hold is directly interconnected with IP crime.
- The report highlights the key role of enforcers and the need to work together to safeguard innovation and to protect consumers.
- The report contains real examples of how IP crime affects health and safety and the environment in different sectors such as pharma, broadcasting illicit content, food or cosmetics.
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Full report