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Product Counterfeiters – The Pirates of the Digital Era

Worldwide trade with counterfeit products and imitations does not only affect a few large corporations; it has financial consequence for the entire economy. Estimations have been made that some 100 million counterfeits are seized across Europe annually by authorized institutions.

Products which impinge upon protected rights of third parties have now reached a percentage of up to 9 percent of trade worldwide, which, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), corresponds to a trade volume of more than 600 billion euros.

Losses in sales, expenses for fighting piracy, warranty and liability problems and much more contribute to a lack of coverage amounts for the original manufacturer and thus directly affect our economy. According to information provided by the European Union, it can be assumed that in the year 2009 more than two million jobs, 70,000 of them in Germany alone, will fall victim to brand and product piracy!

What most companies do not bear in mind is that not only product pirates can be held accountable, but commercial purchases as well. In this case, it does not matter whether the products were used directly by the company or resold and/or rented. With the German Trademark Law (WZG) and/or the “Law to Fight Product Piracy”, the legislation has clearly defined that “whomsoever provides products, packaging or casings in legal trade...unlawfully with a trademark protected by the WZG or whomsoever brings or offers such products into trade and fails to provide information about their origin and the chain of distribution can be held accountable.”

Alongside demands for surrender of property and information, a subsequent licensing fee and/or damage compensation for the original manufacturer can also be claimed.

hms easy stretch GmbH places a heavy focus on comprehensive rights protection during product development. All of our products are fully protected by commercial protective rights in the form of patents, trademarks or utility patents and registered designs.

You’re always on the safe side when you buy our products!

Not only are you making purchases directly from the original manufacture, you are also supporting a mid-sized company and thus shoring up the economy.

Work with us!