Italy is, in Europe, among the countries with the highest invasion rate of counterfeit commercial products, a turnover of almost 7 billion. Particularly affected were the clothing, software and food sectors.
That of counterfeit products is a phenomenon that goes beyond the borders of Italy and Europe, which affects Made in Italy and not only to assume global dimensions and which for this very reason requires tools and measures not only from Europe but from all countries operating in the WTO. These are the scenarios and perspectives indicated by the final document unanimously approved by the bicameral parliamentary inquiry commission into the phenomenon of piracy and counterfeiting in the commercial field.
In the EU in 2011 the customs authorities seized almost 115 million "suspicious" products at the external borders of the Union, with an increase of 15% compared to the previous year. The value of the goods intercepted was almost 1,3 billion euro, against 1,1 in 2010. Italy, with Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and England, is among the countries with the highest number of proceedings and items seized by the customs authorities: in Italy the number of items seized increased from 16 million in 2010 to almost 30 million in 2011 (an 88% jump).
Always remaining in the Italian context, clothing, accessories and footwear together represent almost 70% of the total seizure operations for counterfeiting in the four-year period 2008-2011 for a share equal to 50% of the total products seized. The estimated impact of counterfeiting in Italy for 2012 shows a turnover of 6 billion and 900 million: clothing and accessories are the most affected sectors (almost 2,5 billion euros), followed by CDs, DVDs and software (more than 1,8, 2008 billion euros, up on 1,1) and food products (a turnover of almost 13,7 billion). If the same products had been sold on the legal market, there would have been an additional production value of 5,5 billion, with consequent 0,35 billion of added value, i.e. a share corresponding to XNUMX% of GDP.
A curious note: the fake market has also suffered, like the legal one, the consequences of the current crisis compared to 2008 when the turnover was 7 billion and 100 million. But who are the customers of the fake market? Counterfeiting - explains the document of the bicameral commission - is fueled by two types of consumer: the buyer who is indifferent to the fact of committing an illegal act and indeed convinced that he is making a deal, and the one who does not allow himself to be attracted by the possibility of exhibiting a counterfeit passing it off as authentic but simply letting itself be guided by the possibility of saving. The final satisfaction, however, unites the different types of buyer.
How to exit? The document of the commission on the phenomenon of commercial piracy underlines how the transnationality of the counterfeiting phenomenon "requires a strong commitment at a global level to arrive at the definition of common and shared rules, responding to principles of reciprocity". Not only that: they also need "structures of repression and prevention capable of operating in close coordination with the homologous bodies present in the various countries".
And there is no lack of criticism. Which also involve Europe. "The initiatives launched in the community and international spheres have proved to be still timid, disappointing expectations". In short - is the conclusion - "it is worth reiterating the need to intensify efforts so that Europe and all countries operating under the WTO framework equip themselves with efficient juridical and judicial instruments to face the challenges that counterfeiting will pose in the years to come".
