Greece a key EU gateway for counterfeit goods

Greece represents a key gateway for counterfeit goods, including jewelry, cosmetics and toys, entering the European Union, while the market share of such products compared to the real thing is higher than previously thought, a related market report has concluded.

Besides big fashion and sports brands, the influx of imitation products is also impacting the food market. The Greek market is one of the worse affected, the data showed. Large quantities of fake Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products, including feta cheese, are infiltrating the domestic market.

Data provided by the European Union Intellectual Property Office, as well as the European Police Office (Europol), indicate that imitation products entering the EU market represent 5 percent of imports into the bloc. Their value is estimated at 85 billion euros per year. On a global scale, they are believed to...