Fiera Milano: charges leveled at counterfeits

Seven billion Euros in Italy alone, and two-hundred billion worldwide, according to estimates by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.The figures refer to the turnover from counterfeiting, perhaps the only industry that is unaffected by the crisis and continues to prosper and grow.

Counterfeiting was the subject of a meeting at the Ottagono in Milan with the Managing Director of Fiera Milano, Enrico Pazzali, the Regional Counselor for Industry and SMEs, Romano La Russa, Milan City Council represented by the Counselor for Production, Tiziana Maiolo, and Lieutenant Colonel Fabrizio Rella of the Financial Police Department.

Counterfeiting is no longer limited to designer fashion products and accessories, it now includes CDs and DVDs, cell phones and cameras, toys, cosmetics, medicines and food. It continues to advance and even trade fairs have not escaped; in fact the phenomenon is, to say the least, blatant given that counterfeit brands are sometimes openly exhibited.

Mido,Macef, Micam,Mipel, Mifur and Artigiano in Fiera.'

Pazzali also said that 'the protection of intellectual property and brand value that have been built up through years of work and investments in research and innovation is a fight for principles as well as the proper defense of collective and considerable financial interests.'

'Milan City Council is in the front line of this battle against counterfeiting and our objective is to achieve a cultural revolution in buying' added Tiziana Maiolo. 'Buying counterfeit goods is the same as paying protection money.'

Lieutenant Colonel Fabrizio Rella maintains that 'The Financial Police Department increasingly protects vulnerable areas as part of a new concept of economic security for the country. The salient aspects of the 'safe Milan pact' include the fight against product counterfeiting. In this sense, a constant and fruitful relationship of collaboration with Fiera Milano, Milan City Council and other institutions is essential'.