Counterfeit goods

Buying Counterfeit goods supports crime and adds to the £11 billion lost to UK businesses due to intellectual property theft.

Intellectual property theft can occur in when DVDs, CDs, software or written material, such as books and journals, are illegally copied or used without the permission of the rights owner, whether through official purchase, licence, or any other form of agreement. For example putting software on to more computers than the licence allows. Please use the contact details below.

Manufacturers and suppliers of most goods and services are able to protect their products and services from being copied by either applying Trade Marks or by applying Copyright law.

Legal protection is provided by two main pieces of legislation, the Trade Marks Act and the Copyright Designs and Patents Act. These Acts give owners of trade marks and holders of copyright and design rights the ability to take legal action against people who copy their products.

Trading Standards are also authorised to investigate and prosecute offenders under both Acts.