Counterfeit consumer goods, commonly called knock-offs are counterfeit or imitation products offered for sale. The spread of counterfeit goods has become global in recent years and the range of goods subject to infringement has increased significantly. According to the study of Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau (CIB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) counterfeit goods make up 5 to 7% of world trade, however, these figures cannot be substantiated. A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development indicates that up to 200 billion U.S. dollars of international trade could have been in counterfeit and pirated goods in 2005. November 2009 the OECD has updated these estimates, concluding that the share of counterfeit and pirated goods in world trade is estimated to have increased from 1.85% in 2000 to 1.95% in 2007. That could represent an amount up to 250 billion U.S. dollars worldwide.

In a detailed breakdown of the counterfeit goods industry, the total losses faced by countries around the world totals $600 billion dollars, with the United States facing the most economic impact. When calculating counterfeit products, current estimates place the global losses at $400 billion. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) confirms that counterfeiting is "a thriving multi-billion dollar global industry," where the risks of legal consequences are low. In addition, counterfeiting profits fund other organized criminal activities. It estimates 750,000 jobs have been lost in the U.S. alone due to counterfeiting.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated that "intellectual property crimes are not victimless. The theft of ideas and the sale of counterfeit goods threaten economic opportunities and financial stability, suppress innovation and destroy jobs. The Justice Department, with the help of our law enforcement partners, is changing the perception that these crimes are risk-free with enforcement actions like the one announced today.” Director John Morton of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) adds that "the sale of counterfeit U.S. brands on the Internet steals the creative work of others, costs our economy jobs and revenue and can threaten the health and safety of American consumers. . . we are dedicated to protecting the jobs, the income and the tax revenue that disappear when counterfeit goods are trafficked

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia : Specialized wholesale of other materials and supplies for the food industry nec