Half of all 25 to 34-year-olds unintentionally buy counterfeit goods online, a major new study has revealed.
The finding forms part of the Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) annual IP crime and enforcement report 2018 to 2019.
The research – which highlights current and emerging threats surrounding counterfeiting and piracy – shows that millennials are the demographic “most likely to fall victim to counterfeit scams”.
According to the data, around half of shoppers between the age of 25 and 34 have unintentionally purchased a fake electrical item online, compared to just 10 per cent of over-55s. Alarmingly, counterfeit goods were found across most major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, eBay and Fruugo.
Alongside electrical goods, tobacco, clothing, cosmetics and footwear were among the most counterfeited or pirated products, attributing to an industry now worth some $10 billion (£8.1 billion) each year.
Commenting on the research, the IPO said its global network of attachés has dealt with IP cases worth over £115 million in potential lost revenue.
“Between November 2012 and March 2019 IPO attachés gave one-to-one direct support to nearly 2,000 UK businesses on individual IP issues. They have hosted over 1,000 business outreach and education events. At these, they reached over 31,000 UK exporters operating in overseas markets,” the regulator said.
To access the report, please click here.
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