The European Police Office, Europol, announced on Monday (27.11.2017) the seizure during a globally coordinated operation of 20.520 websites selling counterfeit products, such as luxury goods or sportswear, among others.
The operation was part of the Global initiative "On our sites", which involved Europol's Coordinated Coalition on Intellectual Property Crime, the US Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre and law enforcement agencies from twenty-seven European Member States, as well as third parties through Interpol.
The global joint research achieved in its eighth edition, after being implemented in 2014, a total of 20.520 website seizures, who sold counterfeit luxury goods, sportswear, electronics, pharmaceuticals and online piracy on e-commerce platforms and social networks, Europol said in a statement.
On this occasion, anti-counterfeiting associations and representatives of brand owners joined the authorities "to facilitate international cooperation and support the countries involved in this initiative," Europol explained.
The community police office attributes the success of this operation precisely to the "comprehensive" approach with which it has been addressed, "involving more countries and private sector partners".
Europol Executive Director Rob Wainwright stressed the importance of effective cooperation between public authorities and the private sector, "vital if we want to make the internet a safer place for consumers."
According to Europol data, the Counterfeit products account for approximately 5% of total imports into the European Union, twice as much as worldwide.
Source: Reuters
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