A recent ACMA study, after a primary survey of the Rs 330 billion Indian automotive aftermarket, has revealed that a massive 36 percent of parts sold in the aftermarket are spurious. Given the huge scale of the problem, the losses are enormous including a large number of road accidents (around 20 percent of all road accidents in India are directly or indirectly attributed to the use of counterfeit automotive parts), loss to government exchequer, high fuel consumption and high repair costs.
ACMA will host its Asli Naqli pavilion which is expected to see leading component manufacturers participating to create awareness against counterfeiting and display the difference between genuine and fake products to promote the cause of industry in its fight against counterfeits.
The Asli Naqli pavilion also has an IPR Cell, which is a first initiative of its kind to offer advisory to an exhibiting company against display of its company’s counterfeits by any infringing company. In the recent past over 500 raids have already been conducted through the common raids program under the aegis of ACMA and the apex body representing automotive component manufacturers is further garnering support from its membership to strengthen this unique initiative.
Messe Frankfurt against Copying
Messe Frankfurt is the first exhibition company worldwide to have launched an initiative against brand and product piracy: ‘Messe Frankfurt against Copying’. “By offering exhibitors information and support with systematic assertion of property rights, we aim to create a fair business environment that does not give imitators a chance,” says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board. Since 2006 ‘Messe Frankfurt against Copying’ provides an information booth at its own events in Germany and select events abroad.
A central element in the range of services is an information booth at Messe Frankfurt events. This booth is staffed by representatives of Messe Frankfurt and its partner organisations. They answer questions about the ways of ensuring protection from brand and product piracy and provide exhibitors with information about what action to take in specific cases. An on-site emergency legal service offers exhibitors free initial advice during the trade fairs. The written information provided by ‘Messe Frankfurt against Copying’ includes a brochure ‘Protection against brand and product piracy’ which offers extensive information, advices on how to proceed in the event of infringements and useful contacts.
Messe Frankfurt has advised 22,000 customers since the initiative was launched in 2006, exhibitors are better informed and are usually most interested in getting down to details. Furthermore the number of products seized by customs has fallen significantly during this period – by as much as 95 percent at individual trade fairs.