We are working with the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) to raise awareness of the harm caused by counterfeits. We aim to change attitudes and counterfeit buying behaviors. We want all consumers, particularly young consumers, to develop the knowledge and desire to make smart spending decisions and buy legitimate goods. Learn more on the NCPC website.
Think there’s no harm in buying a fake handbag or mobile phone? That’s not really hurting anyone, right? Wrong. Although counterfeit goods can be bought at a cheaper price than their legitimate counterparts, the actual cost of fake goods is high. Counterfeit goods are often produced in ways that include no quality controls or safety checks. This means that they are not only of inferior quality, but can even be dangerous to the consumer. Think of counterfeit pharmaceuticals containing inactive or even toxic ingredients or untested electronics that catch fire without warning. There’s real harm in fake goods.
Contest winners
Thanks to all contestants for participating in Consumers Combat Counterfeits, the 2018 anti-counterfeiting video contest, and helping us raise awareness about the harms associated with counterfeiting. We recognize all contestants for their hard work and creativity. Congratulations to the contest winners:
Category 1 (grade school): Zoe McDowell
Watch Zoe's video
Category 2 (high school): Joshua Galovin
Watch Joshua's video
Category 3 (college undergraduate students): Eric Grigoryan
Watch Eric's video
Category 4 (general public): Princess Stephanie Donato
Watch Princess' video
Category 5 (federal government employees): Roberto Ortiz
Watch Roberto's video
Honorable mention: Olivia Ferri
Watch Olivia's video
Learn about counterfeits
Learn how to spot counterfeit goods
How to spot counterfeit goods - the three P's
Price
Prices that seem too good to be true usually are when it comes to counterfeit goods. If a designer watch or handbag retails for several thousand dollars (or more) and the one you are shopping is only $150, it’s probably not the real deal.
Packaging
Compare product appearance and packaging against genuine items. Is the brand name spelled correctly? Do the brand colors appear in the correct place? Look for peeling labels, low-quality ink, or printing errors as signs of a cheap imitation. Also be aware of security features - check for holographic stickers or certificates of authenticity that can be confirmed with the manufacturer.
Place
Buy directly from brand owners or authorized retailers. Check the retailer’s online reputation for complaints. Avoid street vendors and unknown sellers on auction websites. Luxury retailers typically offer returns or warranties on high price items - does yours? If not, the goods may not be legitimate.
Learn more
See "The Basics of Counterfeit Goods" to learn more about dangerous counterfeits and how to identify them.
Learn more around the web
Learn how counterfeits hurt the economy
Counterfeit goods violate the intellectual property rights of the designer or owner, allowing others to profit off of the owner’s hard work. Counterfeits hurt the U.S. economy and are responsible for lost jobs and lost tax revenue. Globally, trade in counterfeit goods is estimated at $250 billion. Profit from counterfeits supports terrorism, drug smuggling, sex trafficking, money laundering and illegal guns.
Strange Bedfellows Can Be Dangerous
National Crime Prevention Council
Agencies Can Improve Efforts to Address Risks Posed by Changing Counterfeits Market
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Intellectual Property Rights Seizure Statistics
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Facts and Figures Illustrate the Extent of Intellectual Property Theft
National Crime Prevention Council
Counterfeit goods: a bargain or a costly mistake?
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Learn the dangers of commonly counterfeited types of commonly counterfeited types of goods
Electronics
Counterfeit electronics can be poor quality and can cause fires.
The Serious Risks From Counterfeit Electronic Parts
Forbes
Not all Impostors are Easy to Spot
Electrical Safety Foundation International
Consumer products, like makeup
Counterfeits may put your health at risk, often containing toxic materials not found in genuine products.
$700K Worth Of Fake Kylie Jenner Cosmetics Products Seized in LA, Found to Contain Human Feces, Bacteria
CBS Los Angeles
Apparel and accessories
Counterfeits can be poor quality, falling apart after a few uses. Frequently, profits from counterfeits support other criminal activities, such as money laundering and organized crime.
Large quantities of counterfeit apparel and illegal foreign pharmaceuticals a seized in Sacramento-area searches
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Counterfeit versus the Real Thing; CBP to the RescueA
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Pharmaceuticals and personal care
Using counterfeits can be deadly – they frequently contain ineffective or toxic ingredients. Also, extensive counterfeiting can prevent future investment, as research and development of new drugs can be extremely expensive.
Fake Drugs are Bad Medicine
National Crime Prevention Council
Prince died after taking fake Vicodin laced with fentanyl, prosecutor says
NBC News
Tufts Study Finds Big Rise In Cost Of Drug Development
Chemical & Engineering News
Computers and computer accessories
Counterfeits can be poor quality, could lead to theft of accounts, money, and important personal information if purchased from a non-reputable vendor.
Counterfeit parts have real consequences
Computerworld
Toys
Counterfeit toys can be dangerous or contain toxic materials. Reputable toy companies follow strict regulations and issue recalls, if necessary, to ensure that their toys are safe.
Are knock-off toys dangerous?
Howstuffworks
Watch a video about the harm caused by counterfeit goods
See the official contest rules. For questions, email TMVideoContest@uspto.gov.