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
