Risks : Examples

Some of the more prominent news in the press recently involves music piracy. Software piracy too attracts the media because of the amount of money involved. Tens of billions of Euros are lost in these industries each and every year to illegal copies.

Less widely publicised though are stories involving fake toys (building bricks, dolls, electric train sets and play equipment). Fake batteries for cell phones are common in the Far East and the USA and cases of fires caused by faulty wiring and safety mechanisms have led manufacturers to recall products on occasion.

There have been estimates that around 50% of Viagra is not authentic. Other drugs too as well as contraceptive patches are being copied.

The main worry in the supply of fake 'lifestyle products' concerns the increase of counterfeits in body building drugs and health care markets. Vitamin supplements, muscle promoting products and slimming aids are all products that attract the attention of the counterfeiter.