Bremen: Police uncover storage unit packed with counterfeits
During a traffic check in Bremen, northern Germany, officers uncovered a suspected counterfeiting operation in early September. After a motorist evaded the traffic check and drove onto the premises of a storage unit rental company, the officers located him at a storage box with a fake Gucci handbag. During a subsequent inspection of the storage unit, the officers found a vast quantity of shoe boxes, clothing, electronics, and accessories bearing the logos of well‑known brands. The police confiscated the suspected counterfeit goods, which were removed by the German THW organization. The 22‑year‑old driver and the 27‑year‑old tenant of the storage unit now face charges for violating trademark law.
Trieste: Containers with counterfeit goods worth over a million seized
In a targeted inspection, officers from the Italian Guardia di Finanza and customs authorities at the port of Trieste seized two containers of counterfeit hygiene products and air fresheners with an estimated value of over one million euros. The counterfeit goods came from Mersin in Türkiye (Turkey) and were destined for a company in Neudorf, Austria. What is particularly interesting is that while the first container contained non‑branded shampoo bottles, the second one contained over 600,000 counterfeit labels of a well‑known brand, in addition to around 147,000 counterfeit air freshener packs. Reportedly, the labels were to be applied to the bottles before sale, in order to market the shampoos as counterfeit branded goods. Investigations into the supply chain of the counterfeit goods are ongoing. The operation was based on a targeted risk analysis at the port of Trieste, where more than 16,000 containers and trucks from non‑EU countries arrive every week.
Vaude warns of fake online shops
The German outdoor brand Vaude is currently sounding the alarm about fake online shops. The focus is on a fake shop at www.vaude‑de.com, which apparently replicates the look and feel of the official Vaude web shop. The fake shop supposedly offers low‑priced branded goods and is heavily advertised on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. According to Vaude, many consumers have already been deceived. “Brand abuse and online fraud not only damage our brand, but also the credibility of online retail in general,” explained Manfred Meindl, Vaude’s head of marketing. The Baden‑Württemberg‑based manufacturer says it has already shut down around 700 cases of fraud on the web this year.
Counterfeiters misuse Swiss Military brand
In Asia, counterfeiters are using the Swiss Military brand for their products. According to media reports, goods such as watches, water bottles, shoes, torches, and outdoor equipment are being sold internationally via online shops or platforms such as WeChat, without a license or authorization, under the guise of allegedly renowned Swiss brand quality. The Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement (Armasuisse), as the owner of the intellectual property rights, is responding with legal actions, such as cease and desist letters and complaints. Armasuisse has reportedly also already won first‑instance judgments in China and India. The Federal Office for Defense Procurement is now also working on brand protection communications and has, e.g., published information on companies from China, India, and South Korea that allegedly infringed IP rights. A Chinese website also provides important tips on how to recognize potential counterfeits.
