How to identify and report counterfeit products
There is an ever-increasing range of products being illegally copied. Evidence shows that buying fake or counterfeit products has a negative effect on the community by:
- rewarding organised crime
- forcing legitimate traders out of business
- bringing illegal, faulty and dangerous products into the home
- attracting criminals to the borough
Signs that products might be suspect
Here are some things to look out for to help you identify fake goods:
- CDs and DVDs with poorly printed or photocopied covers, no artist name on the disc and no cellophane wrapping
- perfumes with poor printing, no cellophane wrapping or no batch code numbers
- clothing that has no branded labels, poor logo embroidery or inconsistent colour
- bottles of spirits with no batch number, inconsistent fill-height, crooked labels or manufacturer or distributor information
- bottles of beer and wine with spelling mistakes on the labels
- computer software with handwritten or no labels
What happens when we find counterfeit products
We can:
- seize and destroy fake, counterfeit, pirated and bogus products
- seize any money made from criminal activity
Breaking the law may result in prosecution for offences under the:
- Trademarks Act
- Copyright, Design and Patents Act
- Fraud Act 2006
- Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
A magistrates court can impose:
- unlimited fines
- imprisonment for up to 6 months
For trademark offences:
- a Crown Court can impose unlimited fines and up to 10 years imprisonment
- the copyright owner may sue for damages in the civil courts
How to report suspect products
Visit the Citizens Advice consumer service website. You’ll find practical advice to help sort out problems with suppliers of products and services.
How traders can avoid problems
As a trader you should:
- only buy products from reputable sources
- have a reasonable belief the products you buy are genuine
- always get an itemised and dated receipt showing any VAT paid and the VAT registration number - hand-written receipts may be suspect
- be suspicious of prices that seem too low for famous-name products as they’re unlikely to be genuine
- be wary if you’re told products are seconds or rejects Support for traders
For advice about trading laws, email us at tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk