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From Drugs to Chainsaws, Fake Goods Cost Lives and Jobs - Newton Dunn
September 5, 2010 11:40 PM
Speaking at the European Parliament launch of the exhibition Fakes Cost More and prize-giving for school-children who entered the European Parliament and Commission competition, Real Fake, Bill Newton Dunn MEP (UK, Liberal Democrat) has warned of the "real danger" associated with buying counterfeit and contraband goods.
Newton Dunn, who co-chairs the European Parliament Forum Against Counterfeit, Contraband and Organised Crime, said:
"The sale of fake goods amounts to stealing from legitimate business while fanning the flames of organised crime.
"In Europe's creative industries alone, 1.2 million jobs and 240 billion euro in legitimate revenue will be lost by 2015.
"And the World Cup is a reminder of just how rife the fakes market is: the UK Border Agency had already seized thousands of fake football shirts at Coventry's international postal hub by the start of June.
"But this isn't just about profits, it's about safety too.
"When you buy a fake good, it's always a risk - especially if you don't know the item is a copy.
"From medicines to chainsaws and brake pads, fakes are all around us and we need to raise awareness and counter that trend.
"I warmly congratulate the schoolchildren whose Real Fake entries have made more people aware of this growing problem.
"Now we need joined-up policing across the EU and tighter intellectual property laws to really help stamp it out."
ENDS.
Video footage is available here: http://www.itveuropeandyou.co.uk/EN/video597region2category16.aspx
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