Most affected by the proliferation of counterfeit electronic products are producers from the US, according to a study of the global market for IT equipment. China is considered a major source of counterfeits in computers and consumer electronics. The share of electronic devices imitating models of famous brands is impressively large, according to research by the Organization for Economic Development (OECD), heralded this week. For example, every fifth smartphone is an imitation. Even more dramatic is the situation with game consoles, where almost every fourth device (24%) is a clone. In computing this figure is significantly lower - about 6.5%, while trade generally does not exceed 2.5%. Аlmost 15% of memory cards, 8% of music and video players, 6 percent from remote consoles and up to 5% of the batteries, according to the OECD. Furthermore, the market present 4% false printing devices, cables, chargers and cameras. Imitation is even in hard drives within 2%. But at Audio proportion of counterfeits reaching 19%.
China is considered a major source of counterfeits in computers and consumer electronics. Most affected by counterfeiting are US producers who lose income and image of their brands deteriorate. Almost 43% of the seized devices from global IT market infringe intellectual property rights of US firms, 25% are imitations of Finnish products and 12% - in Japanese, says the study. OECD draws attention to possible risks of flooding the market with fake products. According to the organization, they are not safe and can cause health problems to consumers and do not work well.
The false technique may be, for example, harmful substances such as lead and cadmium. Are also possible problems with charging and battery leading to ignition or electric shocks, the report warns. The total volume of trade in fake communication equipment is estimated by the OECD to 143 bln. Dollars. Two-thirds of these products are delivered by mail and express delivery, making them difficult to detect.
