The NSW Department of Fair Trading has confirmed that it has seized over 30,000 counterfeit goods during 2014-15.
In a joint operation with the NSW Police, the department executed five search warrants with the majority of goods confiscated including clothing, handbags, shoes, sunglasses, cosmetics and mobile communication accessories.
A NSW Department of Fair Trading spokesperson said that Australian brands and retailers should pursue criminal charges if they believe intellectual property has been compromised.
“When Fair Trading undertakes an investigation into a complaint involving counterfeit goods and sufficient evidence is obtained, the offending party is prosecuted by Fair Trading in the Local Court for contravention of Section 151(1)(a) Australian Consumer Law, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (False or Misleading Representations about Goods).
"Fair Trading does not have sufficient information to provide a monetary figure on the counterfeit economy in Australia, however it would be substantial.”
Fair Trading has said that the origin of counterfeit goods does vary and that the department is currently working with a number of governmental agencies to prosecute copycats.
“NSWFT has adopted a risk based approach to the counterfeit goods trade and responds to complaints based upon the level of risk posed by the goods and consumer detriment suffered.”