Germany: Counterfeits of AMD CPUs circulating
Deceptively similar, but without any functionality: In several cases, completely counterfeit computer processors of the US chip developer AMD have recently been discovered. This includes current models, such as the Ryzen 9800X3D. According to media reports, the counterfeits feature perfectly imitated packaging but are completely non-functional as the actual chips are missing entirely. Next to the packaging, some parts such as the circuit board also appear to be professionally made, leading experts at German IT magazine heise online to speculate last year that a group with significant technical and financial resources might be producing these fakes in large numbers. In the current case, the counterfeit products had apparently been sold in German‑speaking countries via Amazon, but the origins of the counterfeits remain unknown. Journalists at heise online had already warned of counterfeit network cards from the well‑known manufacturer Intel, which had been purchased from reputable online retailers.
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France: Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit toys seized
Customs authorities in Bayonne, southern France, have seized over 500,000 counterfeit games and toys. As recently disclosed, officials discovered counterfeit playing cards during an inspection of express freight in April. Further investigations indicated that the recipient was reselling the goods online. A search of the suspect’s residence revealed the counterfeit items as well as 2.5 kg of cannabis resin. According to authorities, the seized counterfeit goods included playing cards and stuffed animals and had a value of over 75,000 euros.
Vietnam: Counterfeiting ring for electric scooters dismantled
In mid‑July, police in Hanoi dismantled a counterfeiting ring that was manufacturing and selling fake electric motorcycles. According to media reports, the counterfeiters manufactured the fake e-scooters in Bac Ninh province near Hanoi and then distributed them in large numbers in the capital. The counterfeit vehicles were sold with fake documents intended to confirm their supposedly legitimate origin. The authorities first carried out raids on several dealers in Hanoi, followed shortly afterwards by a raid on the manufacturing company. Among other things, over 100 electric motorcycles without legitimate invoices or documents were seized. According to the report, the vehicles showed signs of counterfeiting, including manipulated frames and engine numbers.
Switzerland: Simplified destruction of small consignments
As of the beginning of July, a new federal law in Switzerland simplifies the destruction of counterfeit goods in small consignments. If a rights holder has requested the new, simplified procedure when applying for customs assistance, only the person who ordered the goods will initially be informed of a seizure at the border. If the consignee agrees, the counterfeit goods will be destroyed immediately. Only if the ordering party refuses to have the goods destroyed, then the rights holder will be informed so that they can take further steps. The term small consignments refers to packages containing up to three items and weighing no more than five kilograms. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) is handling the procedure, and the seized shipments are handed over to it by the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS). The IPI explains the procedure in a video. The Swiss economy is severely affected by counterfeiting: according to a study by the OECD, counterfeit goods cause billions in losses for Swiss companies.
