Internet being used by counterfeiters: Counterfeit & Piracy Report

July 25, 2005 (Press Release) -- Monday July 25, 2005 -- Calgary, Canada -- Based on worldwide counterfeit enforcement activity (investigations, raids, seizures, arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, civil litigation, public announcements) for month of June 2005, as reported through the DOPIP Security Counterfeit Intelligence Report, more than 291 incidents valued at $623,766,946 (US Dollars) were analyzed from 46 countries.

The top 10 countries reporting intellectual property violations:

1. USA, $87 Million (USD) seizures and losses.
2. South Korea, $8.0 Million.
3. Italy, $3.7 Million.
4. Spain, $3.0 Million.
5. UK, $3.0 Million.
6. Germany, $2.8 Million.
7. Slovenia, $1.6 Million.
8. UAE, $1.1 Million.
9. Kuwait, $0.7 Million.
10. China, $0.6 Million.

Other countries include Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Guam, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

For more information: http://www.goldsec.com/Security_Research.htm

The most popular items to counterfeit:

1. Financial Instruments, 118 incidents worth $509 Million.
2. Entertainment & Software, 66 incidents worth $91 Million.
3. Identification, 31 incidents.
4. Clothing & Accessories, 30 incidents worth $8.6 Million.
5. Other Documents, 18incidents worth $1.2 Million.
6. Food & Alcohol, 7 incidents worth $8.0 Million.
7. Drugs & Medical, 6 incidents.
8. Industrial Goods & Supplies, 4 incidents worth $1.7 Million.
9. Jewelry & Watches, 4 incidents worth $2.9 Million.
10. Cigarettes & Tobacco Products, 2 incidents.
11. Electronic Equipment & Supplies, 2 incidents.
12. Computer Equipment & Supplies, 1 incidents.
13. Other Goods, 1 incident.
14. Perfume & Cosmetics, 1 incident.

The top 10 brands counterfeited:

1. Nike.
2. Microsoft.
3. Louis Vuitton.
4. Adidas.
5. Prada.
6. Christian Dior.
7. Adobe.
8. Bosch.
9. Burberry.
10. Calvin Klein.

The top 10 items counterfeited:

1. Currency.
2. DVDs.
3. Checks.
4. Drugs.
5. Software.
6. CDs.
7. Drivers Licenses.
8. Passports.
9. Credit Cards.
10. Handbags.

In summarizing the activity for the month of June, Glen Gieschen, Managing Director of Gieschen Consultancy stated "The market for fake and bogus goods is growing with the help of the Internet. Nearly 13% of all enforcement activity for June was directed towards spam, internet auctions, retail sites and other Internet activities which sell or distribute counterfeit and pirated items. P2P services such as eDonkey and BitTorrent play a significant role in copyright infringement as music, films, software and books are distributed freely or at a fraction of the cost. Other venues such as Internet chat rooms and private forums are also being used by criminals and terrorists to provide information regarding manufacturing techniques and to distribute high value items such as fake ID (passports, drivers licenses, and birth certificates). With an increase in Internet users in both developed and developing regions, in particular the Middle East and Asia, the potential market for these items is expanding rapidly."

About Gieschen Consultancy

For more information visit http://www.gieschen.com/.