How do Toy industries react about the problem of counterfeiting & product piracy?

Résumé du document

The fight against counterfeiting is a battle which requires an approach on many levels.
It is estimated that counterfeit toys account for 12 per cent of the European toy market.
Counterfeiting is a danger for the health of the consumer whose undermines industries and makes criminal organisations more prosperous. Counterfeiting products can compromise the safety of children. The EU's legal framework was enforced and various industries joined their forces.
To ensure that the fight against counterfeiting and piracy remains a political priority in the EU. Toy industries have to alert decision makers and consumers to encourage all players to take action.
Competition is positive within any industry as long as all players compete fairly. Counterfeiting is a serious threat, it is controversial and it is actually difficult to estimate cost. We can say that the figures are simply alarming. The trade in counterfeit products accounts for approximately seven percent of global trade. In Europe the European commission has estimated the total number of jobs lost around 200; 000.Toy manufacturers constantly research and develop new kinds of toys to provide the highest quality product and a positive experience for child development. Counterfeit products may contain small parts, toxic substances and hazardous materials which contravene all safety standards, we have seen a lot of examples those last months.

Extraits

[...] Biotechnologies use the identification of certain chemical structures; it is an increasingly important field among anti-counterfeiting technologies. One well-know technology in this field has developed specific monoclonal antibodies to “recognise” certain antigens or markers chemicals. The marker chemicals are added in tiny concentrations to products and are detected by using a test kit containing the specific antibodies. Chemical technologies include light-reactive and heat-reactive inks. These are typically applied on product labels and packaging. When exposed to either heat or light they change colour, and when exposed again the colour reverts to the original. [...]

[...] The great danger is that counterfeit copies of products may not comply with safety standards and can cause injuries and death. The price of a product is not the only driving force behind a consumer's choice of a product. Of high relevance are matters such as the quality of the product, the reputation of the retailer and the availability of the after- sales service. Accordingly, consumers are concerned to ensure that the product which they have purchased is a genuine article and not a counterfeit. [...]

[...] These kinds of countries have increased their relative share in the world trade, implying increased exports of counterfeits along with genuine products. Toys accounted for more than half of the items seized. These regions are now sources for genuine products as well as for counterfeit toys. In these kinds of countries, there is less production of genuine toys and more of counterfeits. Price and quality Fake toys are often sold under a different name but infringe the design protection of the toy. [...]

[...] Also, in 2004, an estimated 210,000 children were treated for toy-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. For example, in September 2005 in the port of Pittsburgh during a cargo examination, CBP seized a shipment of more than 10,000 children's paint sets that had not been tested or certified before importation. 2nd Part: Overview of the toy industry A Industry initiatives Combat organisations There are a large number of national anti-counterfeiting organisations around the world, the oldest being the Union des Fabricants formed at the end of the last century. [...]

[...] The size of the organisations and their responsibilities vary considerably. Some are more engaged in lobbying or information. The current trend is to encourage the formation of national and international anti-counterfeiting groups in each industrialised nation. 2)Anti-counterfeiting technologies Companies are becoming increasingly aware of the problems of counterfeiting. All companies need to make sure that their trademarks are adequately protected. A number of technologies, such as holograms, smart cards, optical technology, biotechnology, biometric markers and inks, chemical and electronic fields can be employed to protect and authenticate genuine products. [...]