Beyond the crime: your health and safety at stake.
As has been the case for years, Europol is taking part in World Intellectual Property Day. The fight against intellectual property crime is of high importance to our agency as it not only impacts businesses and economy, but also the health and safety of many European consumers.
In 2018 Europol’s IPC3 (Intellectual Property Crime Coordinated Coalition), supported and coordinated more than 45 operations related to the trade of fake pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, pesticides, luxury goods, car spare parts, IPTV, music and movie piracy. Europol also provided Member States with on–the-spot operational and forensic support more than 20 times during their operations and organised upwards of 30 operational meetings.
On 4 April 2019, Europol’s Intellectual Property Crime Coordinated Coalition (IPC3) was presented with the Intellectual Property Excellence Award in Enforcement from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). The award is in recognition for the outstanding contribution to the recording industry worldwide related to the unit's activity in anti-piracy enforcement.
With funding from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EU IPO), Europol’s IPC3 could intensify its fight against intellectual property crime.
By buying counterfeited products, consumers support huge financial benefits to criminal organisations. They may not even realise the serious problems to health and safety when using counterfeit products like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electrical devices or even car spare parts.
Spare car parts
Worldwide, the trade value of fake spare parts was up to $10 billion and spare car parts are also frequently traded in the European Union. Very often fake spare car parts are offered on websites at knock-down prices — so order your spare parts on official websites or through registered dealers. If not, fake spare car parts can pose serious safety risks both to you and other road users.
WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY 2019
