Released by Canon UK:
Canon Europe joins forces with the European Union and ACG to stamp out counterfeiting
•Campaign highlights the real ‘cost’ of counterfeit goods
to consumers
•Follows seizure of 20,000 fake Canon cameras across Europe
LONDON August 8th, 2003 – Canon Europe, leading provider of imaging technology solutions, has joined forces with the European Union and the Anti-Counterfeit Group, one of the leading anti-counterfeiting organisations in the world, to campaign against black-market trade and raise consumer awareness about the dangers and the ‘real’ costs of counterfeit products.
The trade in counterfeit goods in the European Union has seen a 900% increase in the amount of products coming into the European Union in the last five years . As counterfeiting techniques have become more sophisticated, the type of consumer goods being counterfeited has also diversified from fake jeans, perfume and CDs to include pharmaceutical products, industrial machinery and electronic consumer goods. Virtually anything with a brand name is a target.
John Anderson, Director General of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, said, "Our main objective is to raise awareness of the economic and social impact that black-market trade has throughout Europe. We need to raise awareness about the costs to consumers and the costs to businesses and also about the responsibility of governments to work with businesses, such as Canon, to stamp this problem out at its source and put the organised criminals who are behind this trade behind bars."
A recent declaration on piracy and counterfeiting by the European Parliament has also helped to bring the issue of counterfeiting to the fore. Arlene McCarthy, Member of the European Parliament, said, "Counterfeiting and Piracy undermines intellectual property for businesses and poses real risks for consumer health and safety. The support for our recent declaration on piracy and counterfeiting in the European Union has been huge and we will continue to combine our efforts with businesses and governments across borders to ensure existing and forthcoming laws are strengthened, enforced and policed in the current and extended European Union in the battle to defeat counterfeiting."
Canon Europe has decided to speak out on this issue to highlight to consumers the risks of buying counterfeit goods or cheap cameras which appear to be genuine Canon products following interceptions by customs and police of more than 20,000 cameras throughout Europe.
James Leipnik, Chief of Communication and Corporate Relations, Canon Europe, said, "Canon is concerned about protecting the rights of the consumer who is the number one victim. Fake goods may sometimes seem like a bargain but there are always hidden dangers for consumers. The person who sells you a fake won't be around to help if it doesn't work properly; fakes don't come with guarantees. Only the genuine article can offer a good deal."
Canon Europe urges consumers to buy Canon cameras and equipment only from reputable dealers and retail outlets. For a full list of approved Canon stockists and distributors in the UK go to: http://www.canon.co.uk/Where_to_buy/index.asp
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION STATISTICS ON COUNTERFEITING
From www.europa.eu.int
•The European Commission estimates that 17,000 legitimate jobs are lost annually through piracy and counterfeiting in the EU
•Between 1998 and 2001 the volume of pirated goods intercepted by EU customs increased almost 10-fold
•The EC estimates that the small and medium firms are the ones who are losing more business to counterfeiters
•In the UK alone, counterfeiting and piracy cost UK industry over £8.5 billion in 2001. (This is the equivalent to approximately £1.5 billion lost VAT)
•The EC is currently proposing new laws to stop counterfeit good being smuggled in to the EU and to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights throughout its territory
About Canon (UK) Limited
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for both home and office environments.
Canon has a global philosophy of Kyosei - living and working together for the common good, which clearly demonstrates commitment to customers, staff and the environment shared by all.
Canon (UK) Ltd is the UK marketing and sales operation for the US$24 billion global company based in Tokyo, Japan. In the UK Canon employs over 2,500 people in various locations including Ireland and has achieved sales of £505m in 2002.
Canon (UK) Ltd’s main activity is in two clearly defined markets: Business Solutions (IT network consultation and peripherals: photocopiers, printers, faxes, document scanners and multimedia LCD projectors) and Consumer Imaging (input solutions: film and digital cameras, camcorders, binoculars and scanners; and output solutions: Bubble Jet printers and desktop multifunctionals).
