Counterfeiting Free @ Mido
In the eyewear industry, where research and applied technology are part and parcel of the added value of fashion and design, counterfeiting strikes several aspects of products: from brands, to patents, to alterations to styles and industrial designs, and origin.
In fact, the effects are similar to those on other fashion sectors but, at the same time, where eyewear is concerned, there is the additional, worrisome problem linked to the protective and vision correction function of these accessories.
The phenomenon can occur at trade fairs, too, and, unfortunately, prevention at the time of exhibitor registration is not sufficient to stop it.
Mido was the first fair, more than 15 years ago, to tackle this problem and make an Anti-Counterfeiting Service available to its exhibitors.
Information, consultation, protection and intervention: these are the four key words that describe the activities of the Mido Anti-counterfeiting Service, guided by experts from the Center for Anti-counterfeiting Studies whose President, Daniela Mainini, was recently named President of the National Anti-counterfeiting Council by Italy’s Minister of Economic Development.
This year Mido intends to be even more vigilant with regard to the problem and has dedicated an entire exhibit area called “COUNTERFEITING FREE” to the war on anti-counterfeiting and the safeguarding of intellectual property.
Also in this area, located in pavilion 13, alongside the Anti-Counterfeiting Service, described above, are stands representing Certottica, the Italian Institute for Certification of Optical Products, leader in certifying compliance for EC certification; the Ministry of Economic Development with the General Directorate for the Fight against Counterfeiting – Italian Office of Patents and Brands; and the Customs Agency.
Through this focused approach, Mido intends to create a single, synergistic point of reference inside the fairgrounds, accessible to everyone -- exhibiting firms in particular -- as well as to visitors, for information about the war on counterfeiting, protection of intellectual property, and product safety, with the cooperation of top-level authorities.
