Counterfeating

Italiano

A large number of counterfeit goods are produced and sold around the world every day. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has estimated that the turnover of the sector amounts to about 250 billion dollars, a figure exceeding the gross domestic product of at least 150 countries.

The crime of counterfeiting, as provided for in art. 473 et seq. of the Italian Penal Code, punishes the exact reproduction of a trademark or distinctive sign, as well as the simple alteration of the elements that make the counterfeit product mistakable for the original one.

As specified by the interpretation of the Court of Cassation, the mere equivocalness/similarity with the original products is sufficient to constitute a criminal offense. Undoubtedly, criminal organizations benefit from counterfeiting to the highest degree. This is because counterfeiting is a low-risk investment that can bring significant economic returns, especially in countries where laws on the protection of intellectual property are less strict and the corresponding sanctions lighter.
 

Anti-counterfeiting Committee

The spread and size of this criminal phenomenon require a strong commitment to counter it and restore legal trading conditions. This very awareness led to the establishment of the Anti-Counterfeiting Milan Provincial Committee. It took office in December 2018, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding promoted by the Chamber of Commerce of Milan Monza Brianza Lodi in close collaboration with the Prefecture of Milan, at the instigation of the Ministry of Economic Development. The Committee’s goal is setting up an integrated territorial network aimed at enhancing the operativeness of the single authorities, and promoting synergies, cooperation, and mutual information on anti-counterfeiting initiatives.
 

Further information


Competent Ministerial Office

Directorate General for the Protection of Intellectual Property – Italian Patent and Trademark Office