The fight against counterfeits

Counterfeit products fuel fast-growing trade, bringing many risks to states, businesses and consumers. At EU level, they would account for 6.8 % of imports, 700000 jobs lost and EUR 16.3 billion in tax losses per year (out of ten economic sectors between 2012 and 2016), with an increasing proportion of products dangerous to the health and safety of citizens. There is a need for more proactive action at international and European level in order to better take intellectual property rights into account in trade negotiations and to enhance the effectiveness of monitoring and control mechanisms. The French anti-counterfeiting system requires a global strategy and the mobilisation of all actors. The Court makes 11 recommendations to that effect.