Nottinghamshire County Council welcomes change to counterfeiting laws

EU trademark and copyright owners currently find it difficult to prevent counterfeit goods, available on foreign websites, being bought by consumers in Europe for personal use.

Under the new law, people in Europe buying fake designers goods online could face having them seized and destroyed by customs.

Coun Glynn Gilfoyle, Chairman of the County Council’s Community Safety Committee, said: “We welcome any new legislation that gives customs greater powers to stop counterfeit goods coming into the UK.

“The sale of counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime as it impacts on the local economy, reducing trade for businesses selling legitimate goods.

“Local people need to be mindful that any goods that they buy on the internet which have the potential to be counterfeit could be seized by customs. We advise people to buy from reputable websites to avoid this.”

The Council is working with District Council markets in Mansfield and Ashfield and Thoresby Market on the Real Deal initiative which ensures that consumers visiting the markets can be confident that the goods they buy are legitimate, safe and as described.