Brand and Product Counterfeiting | Intellectual Property Protection Wuppertal

Wuppertal ranks far ahead of the 30 largest German cities in terms of students per capita. In the winter semester 2013/14, the value was more than 100% above the national average. Among the faculties at the Bergische Universität Wuppertal(BUW), founded in 1972 as a comprehensive university and known by its current name since 2003, are Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Information Technology, and Media Technology — all fields that foster innovation and lay the foundation for a thriving economy. Wuppertal also hosts other research institutions with a focus on technology.

The “collaboration between business and science” (quote from the Wuppertal Economic Development Agency) drives economic growth in the Bergisches Land. Yet many popular product innovations are not kept exclusive but are illegally copied by primarily foreign competitors, produced cheaper, and sold at lower prices on the global market — a disaster for companies investing heavily in research and product development. Our business and brand detectives in Wuppertal tackle such cases by tracking the flow of product information, identifying counterfeits, and, where possible, uncovering the perpetrators or companies behind them, including distribution channels: +49 202 5289 0063.

Global and European Production of Counterfeits

More than two thirds of global production in the field of product and brand piracy takes place in China, making that country by far the most significant producer of these illegal goods. However, there is also a considerable number of such manufacturers in Europe. In particular, Poland plays a leading role on the European market, where many brands are imitated and, due to geographic proximity, can then be distributed in Germany with relative ease — for example sportswear such as Nike, Puma and Adidas, watches (Rolex, Omega, Tissot) and even televisions and other multimedia devices (Samsung, Sony, Bose). As a rule, almost all branded goods offered at street markets in Poland can be assumed to be counterfeits. Since not only the manufacture and sale of counterfeits are illegal, but under certain circumstances the purchase can also be a criminal offence — and given the notorious rate of counterfeiting in that market a purchaser will often be presumed to have knowingly bought an imitation — buyers should exercise particular caution.

It becomes a health hazard when counterfeits are products taken into or applied to the body (orally, via skin contact or through the air) and, due to inferior ingredients, can be harmful: detergents, paints and varnishes, cosmetic products (skin creams, toothpaste, shower gel), medicines and more. This alone demonstrates the unscrupulousness with which counterfeiters enrich themselves. To assume that these criminals will refrain from copying a company’s developments would be naive; this can harm immediate sales as well as the company’s long-term reputation. A customer who does not know that a defective or even harmful product is an imitation will see only the original brand on the packaging or the product itself and form a correspondingly negative opinion of the original manufacturer, which they may then share with others.

Prevention Prevents Damage and Perpetrator Investigations

Copyright and patent law protect intellectual property. Reputable companies naturally comply with the relevant legal provisions, but not everyone acts honestly. Greed and ruthlessness dominate large parts of the world market. No company is therefore immune to espionage attacks by national or international competitors; preventive security measures are a must for innovative manufacturers.

Our security experts in Wuppertal, who work in the areas of IT security, counter-surveillance and burglary protection, will be pleased to help you protect your company-internal information: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-wuppertal.de.