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Gift Responsibly: Say No to Fakes!

From children's toys and cosmetics to e-cigarettes: DPMA President Eva Schewior urges caution against counterfeit products during the Christmas shopping season – Counterfeit goods cause billions in damages, cost jobs and are potentially hazardous to health – Value of seized products in the European Union remains high

Press release dated 11 December 2025

Munich. In light of recent data from the European Union on trade in counterfeit goods, the President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office is urging caution when Christmas shopping. ‘Even though many online shops are currently offering very tempting deals, choose originals as Christmas gifts and don't be tempted to buy counterfeit products,’ says Eva Schewior, President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). ‘No matter how price-conscious you are or how much of a hurry you're in, buying fakes means disregarding intellectual property. Product and brand piracy costs companies in Germany billions and our economy tens of thousands of jobs. What's more, some supposed bargains in Christmas shopping can endanger the health of the recipients. If you give original gifts, you can celebrate with a clear conscience.’

Market value of fakes: new negative record

The appeal is based on alarming figures: according to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), 112 million counterfeit products were seized at the borders of the European Union (EU) and within the EU internal market in 2024. The estimated market value was €3.8 billion, a new negative record. Although the number of items seized had fallen slightly compared to the previous year, the value of the counterfeit goods confiscated increased due to higher prices – and with it the total economic damage in the EU.

From software to toys

Measured by the value of the goods, around a quarter of the counterfeit goods seized were intended for sale in Germany. This makes Germany the most affected country within the EU. The product groups seized included recorded CDs and DVDs, including software (34.84 per cent by number of items seized), toys (17.89 per cent), clothing (7.5 per cent), fashion accessories (6.25 per cent), cigarettes, including e-cigarettes and vaporisers (4.44 per cent), and perfume and cosmetics (3.04 per cent).

Criminal gangs follow trends

The large quantities of counterfeit children's toys are particularly worrying, as they could expose children to harmful substances and dangerous product malfunctions. The fact that pirated CDs and DVDs as well as counterfeit e-cigarettes and vaporisers are being seized shows that criminal gangs continue to distribute large quantities of counterfeit products that are in sharp decline on the legal market. On the other hand, they are also following market trends.

Bears, Blouses, and Balms: counterfeits harm manufacturers who protect their branded products. The trade in counterfeit products jeopardises jobs at the manufacturers of originals. In addition, economies lose out on tax revenue.

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office works closely with numerous organisations at national and international level to further improve the possibilities for enforcing the industrial property rights of original manufacturers. The EUIPO and customs authorities are among the network partners in the fight against fakes and copies, as are investigative and law enforcement agencies.

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office

Inventiveness and creativity need effective protection. The DPMA is the German centre of expertise for all intellectual property rights – for patents, utility models, trade marks and designs. As the largest national patent office in Europe and the sixth largest national patent office in the world, it represents the future of Germany as a country of inventors in a globalised economy. Its approximately 2,800 employees at three locations – Munich, Jena and Berlin – provide services to inventors and companies. They implement the Federal Government's innovation strategies and further develop national, European and international protection systems.

Picture: getty images/Westend61

Last updated: 11 December 2025