Counterfeit products continue to flood EU, U.S. markets..

July 10, 2009 - European Union (EU) officials say 2008 saw 125% increase in fake (illegal, illicit, contraband, counterfeit) products. Despite the best efforts of government agencies, the flood of counterfeit products continues to swell in both the European Union and the U.S.

According to EU statistics released this week, the total number of counterfeit articles detained more than doubled to 178 million in 2008, a big jump from the 79 million the year before. China accounted for more than half (54%) of the counterfeit goods overall, but other countries appear to be carving out niche counterfeit markets for themselves. For example, Indonesia was the biggest source of counterfeit food and beverage products while India produced the most fake medicines and the United Arab Emirates produced most counterfeit cigarettes.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol also reported a 39% increase in the value of goods seized for intellectual property rights violations last year. Of the more than $272 million in counterfeit goods seized in the U.S., China accounted for 81%.

Reference: Counterfeit products continue to flood EU, U.S. markets, Dave Hannon -- Purchasing.com, 7/10/2009.