NI Tops UK Counterfeit Poll

Northern Ireland is the top UK region for counterfeit and fake goods after London, according to a new report published by PwC.

The report claims counterfeit goods have "gone mainstream," with British adults regularly buying counterfeit alcohol, cigarettes, medicines, films, music, clothes and car parts.

London is the region where fake goods are most prevalent, followed by Northern Ireland. Scotland contains significantly fewer fake purchases than the national average.

The report found that most people believe counterfeiting to be morally wrong, although 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds disagree.

Price and affordability are the top drivers for those who consciously

choose fake products, with only a third of people worried about getting caught.

18% of consumers admit to buying fake alcohol, even though substitutes for ethanol in fake alcoholic drinks can include chemicals used in cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, car windscreen wash and methanol.

Mark James, PwC anti-counterfeiting team, said: "Counterfeits have an obvious impact on profit and jobs, yet people increasingly see access

to fakes as a normal, consumer choice.

"The digital economy and global supply chains have made tracking counterfeit goods and measuring their economic damage fiendishly complex.

"Companies invest significant amounts of time, money in effort in developing their products. Manufacturers and buyers of counterfeit goods strike right at the heart of that. Ultimately, companies are seeing their brand, reputation and revenues stolen."

(IT/JP)