Illicit trade in counterfeit and pirated goods poses a major challenge to a global innovation-based economy. It damages economic growth and fuels organised crime, which can undermine trust in functioning markets and the rules-based international trading system. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing problems by re-shaping value chains, shifting consumer demand, and, consequently, opening new opportunities for illicit trade networks. Policy makers need solid empirical evidence to take action against illicit trade. To meet this need, the OECD and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) have joined forces to carry out a series of analytical studies. The results have been published in a series of reports that gauge illicit trade in counterfeit and pirated goods.
We are pleased to provide a unique insight to the observed trends of illicit trade in counterfeits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are confident that the results will enhance our understanding of the risk that counterfeiting poses to the global economy and society, facilitate the development of innovative policy options to respond to these challenges, and promote clean trade in the post-COVID-19 recovery.
João Negrão,
Executive Director,
European Union Intellectual Property Office
Mathias Cormann,
Secretary-General,
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development