Brazil’s economy is strongly dependent on counterfeit products. Limiting them would lead to huge economic crash.
Lince ’19 – (Tim; WTR News Reporter, Fraud and Impersonation Investigator, BA in Politics and Media; “24 Counterfeit Hotspots that you should be aware of – part 1”; September 9, 2019; WTR; https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/data/physical-marketplace-counterfeit-hotspots/physical-marketplace-counterfeit-hotspots/article/24-counterfeit-hotspots-you-should-be-aware-of-in-brazil-part-one MV)
In a special two-part edition of our series on physical marketplaces around the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to Brazil. Spanning the 14 states of the largest country in Latin America, brand protection experts reveal markets that brand owners should have on their enforcement radars.
The issue of counterfeit goods has been an increasing problem in Brazil for a number of years. According to a recent WTR magazine article, “thousands of factories in Brazil have dedicated themselves to producing counterfeits” in the past decade. The reasons for this include an ongoing economic crisis and political developments that disrupted the country’s international business chain. For that reason, domestically made fakes are available across the country.
With its population of 209 million, the world’s fifth most populous country is a “goldmine” for counterfeiters. In fact, it is estimated that 73% of Brazilians have purchased a fake good in the past 12 months. On top of that, the country shares a border with 10 other countries in South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. That means fakes are entering these countries from Brazil, as well as counterfeit goods entering Brazil from some of the border countries. Much of this trade is also linked with other organised crime, such as drugs and weapons trafficking.