Counterfeit goods are illegal copies of well known branded goods produced without the permission of the company. Lots of different types of products are counterfeited, for example: clothing and footwear, CD’s and DVD’s, watches, perfume, cigarettes and alcohol.
Counterfeiting causes harm in many ways:
- Fakes are poor quality goods,
- they may be unsafe, and
- fakes cost jobs. They affect genuine business and harm the UK economy.
- It is a serious criminal offence to make or sell counterfeits and carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Trading Standards regularly visit car boot sales, markets and shops to establish whether or not counterfeit goods are being sold. We have powers to seize counterfeit goods and report the person for prosecution. In some cases, we may obtain warrants for people’s homes.
To report somebody selling counterfeit goods, please ring 08454 040506.
