What is counterfeiting?

Counterfeiting is the manufacture, sale, import, and export of products that use a trademark, logo or design identical to another company’s trademark, logo or design (also known as a brand) without the brand owner’s consent. Counterfeit products are often referred to as “fakes” or “knockoffs.” 

In simple terms, counterfeit products are imitations of genuine products. Just about every industry falls victim to counterfeiting, including clothing, footwear, pharmaceuticals, home care products, baby formula, toys, electronic equipment, beauty products, and even airplane and car parts. Counterfeiters con consumers into purchasing what a consumer assumes is an authentic, discounted product. In reality, the counterfeit goods are poorly constructed and use low quality and even dangerous materials. In some cases, counterfeiters display deceptive images of the product and consumers receive a product that looks nothing like what they thought they were purchasing. 

Counterfeit products can be found everywhere–from flea markets and garage sales, to sponsored social media posts and content and online websites dedicated to selling knockoff products. Counterfeiters have moved to the internet as more people turn to online shopping. The Internet has made it very easy for counterfeiters to sell fake goods and counterfeiters can easily target customers who are looking for a good deal.  In fact, statistics show that 30% of online shoppers have been tricked into buying fake goods.