The IPO has commissioned a second wave of the Counterfeit Goods tracker. This research aims to replicate the current understandings of consumption of pirated content in the UK, as ascertained by the Online Copyright Infringement Tracker (OCI), in the space of physical counterfeit goods. This is the second wave of research that sets out to understand the current levels of consumption of counterfeit goods, motivations behind any purchasing behaviour and to test behaviour change messaging.

Please see the links to the latest IPO counterfeit goods research and social media influencer’s and counterfeit goods study, that recently went live.

IPO counterfeit goods research (Wave 2) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The IPO has also commissioned a pilot study, undertaken by Portsmouth University, to investigate the effects of Social Media Influencer’s endorsements of counterfeit products. This is a pilot piece of research in response to feedback from industry around the issue.

This is the result of a survey of 5000 UK adults (aged 18+). Those who completed the

Social media influencers and counterfeit goods – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The survey discussed their buying history and habits, including counterfeit goods and covered 6 product areas:

• Beauty and hygiene
• Clothing, footwear, and accessories
• Sports
• Toys
• Electrical’s
• Alcohol

The survey was developed in consultation with the relevant industry and trade bodies.

Dids Macdonald CEO of ACID said, “This work commissioned by the IPO provides valuable data to measure consumer’s buying habits and general awareness about the purchase of counterfeit or fake products. Year on year it gives policy makers meaningful data/evidence on which to base future approaches. Sadly, there is very little evidence about consumers and their attitudes to knowingly buying cheap copies of designers’ products. For example take ACID member Triclimb who received a backlash from some consumers who preferred to purchase the Aldi lookalike in preference to the Triclimb original in an ongoing case.” 

A PDF version of this report is available upon request, please e-mail [email protected].

Social media influencers and counterfeit goods – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)