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VIENNA – The newly released 2024 Product Piracy Report reveals a significant increase in counterfeiting activity in Austria. Customs authorities uncovered 6,327 product piracy cases last year and initiated 9,974 legal proceedings. The total value of seized counterfeit goods (based on their original retail value) exceeded €38 million—the second-highest figure ever recorded.
Counterfeits Now Affect Nearly Every Product Category
While counterfeit items used to focus mainly on clothing, shoes, and handbags, the range has expanded dramatically. Today’s seizures include medications, auto parts, consumer electronics, jewelry, household goods, and even detergents.
State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl warned:
“Protecting intellectual property is a cornerstone of our innovation and economic strength. Poor-quality counterfeit goods—especially medications—pose a serious risk to consumers.”
Key 2024 Figures:
- 129,000 counterfeit items seized
- 378,109 fake or illegal medications taken off the market
- 7,147 shipments containing medication fakes intercepted
- 97% of identified dangerous fakes pose a serious safety risk
- Customs success attributed to targeted inspections in postal and airport traffic
Illegal Medicines on the Rise
The report highlights a troubling trend: the continued growth of fake medicines ordered online by individuals, in violation of Austria’s Medicine Import Act. These pose major risks to public health, as they are often produced without proper formulations or quality control.
Major Product Piracy Cases in 2024:
- May 2024 – Vienna Airport
Two large seizures:
– From China: 5,500+ counterfeit auto accessories and electronics
– From USA: iPhones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and more - July 2024 – Hall in Tirol
Customs seized over 36,000 counterfeit shoes and sportswear from Turkey en route to France. - Bangkok – Vienna – London
A 3.3-ton shipment of fakes including shoes, sunglasses, and handbags was intercepted.
A total of 13,608 counterfeit items, impacting 54 rights holders, were removed from circulation. - September 2024 – Vienna Port
A container of counterfeit detergent from Turkey was seized en route to a German wholesaler.
Over 16.3 tons of potentially hazardous and environmentally harmful product was destroyed.
This marked a rare case of piracy involving household chemicals instead of luxury goods.
Economic & Health Impact
- 29.8% of jobs in Austria rely on IP-intensive sectors
- These industries contribute 44.2% of GDP
- OECD and EUIPO studies expect product piracy and smuggling to keep rising
Customs expert Bernhard Herics added:
“Low-quality counterfeits are dangerous and environmentally harmful. Customs plays a critical role in stopping these products at the border. From smartphones to detergent—almost anything profitable is now being faked.”
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