SA is among the top 10 countries reported enforcement activity in counterfeiting and piracy incidents, says Gieschen Consultancy, a Canadian counterfeit intelligence analysis firm.
Gieschen Consultancy today released its summary of the monthly DOPIP Security Counterfeit Intelligence Report on the global piracy situation.
It says that in the first six months of 2005, counterfeiters stole more than $201 million from brand and intellectual property owners then attempted to steal another $162 million before being caught. Intellectual property theft (copyright and trademark infringement) now accounts for 23% of all incidents of counterfeiting.
The top country in terms of reported incidents of all forms of counterfeiting and pirate activity, including documents, ID and intellectual property theft, was the US, where 745 incidents involving $222 million in seizures and losses were reported. SA moved up to 10th position on the world list, reporting 28 incidents worth $21.3 million.
"Counterfeiting in the first six months was focused in four primary areas: financial instruments, goods and services, identification, and other documents," says Gieschen Consultancy MD Glen Gieschen.
"Financial instruments account for 39% of the incidents, which include currency, bonds, cheques, credit and debit cards. Goods and services account for 36%, which include brands (trademarks) and copyrighted goods such as CDs, DVDs, clothing, etc."
Gieschen says the largest area of growth occurred in intellectual property theft, which accounts for 23% of all incidents such as pirated works (copyright infringement) and fake goods (trademark infringement).
"Given the magnitude of the problem, more than 355 brand and copyright owners chose to track down the counterfeiters, build cases for prosecution, and assist law enforcement personnel in raids," he says.
Related stories:
Internet boosts counterfeit market
Counterfeiting surges past $3 trillion
Share