They copy designs, infringe trademark rights, or shamelessly counterfeit products and logos: “Operation Plagiarius” has declared war on product and brand pirates. As part of the “Ambiente” consumer goods fair, the association has now for the 47th time honored particularly brazen counterfeits and counterfeits. A jury of entrepreneurs and other experts awarded six “awards” for product imitations from different areas. This ranges from cheap copies of a wall shelf system, to fake software from car manufacturers, to a website of a German family business that was completely stolen by a Chinese company.
The association emphasizes that the award of the “Plagiarius” prize says nothing about whether the counterfeit products are legal or illegal. “The aim of the Plagiarius campaign is rather to raise public awareness of the unscrupulous business methods of product and brand pirates and to sensitize industry, politics and consumers to the problem.” In some cases, however, legal action has already been taken. The “Operation Plagiarius” not only criticizes that the imitations threaten the value of creativity and intellectual property. In some cases, they also pose a safety risk, as branded products are replicated using cheap materials.
Influencers are also in the pillory
This year’s Plagiarius campaign also expressly denounces so-called “dupe influencers” who advertise counterfeit designer and luxury products on their social media channels. “They self-importantly legitimize the sale of infringing items and downplay buying them as cool and acceptable.” In doing so, they would ensure that the social acceptance of cheap counterfeits increases, especially among the younger generation.
The association welcomes the EU’s Digital Service Act, passed in 2022, which aims to make digital platforms more responsible for the. For example, online marketplaces must ensure that only safe products and legal content are offered on their sites. “When it comes to transposition into national law, clear rules for law enforcement must now be laid down,” demands the Plagiarius campaign. In the end, it comes down to hard and consistent implementation in practice.
Source: Stern
