January 14, 2019

PIPCU, in partnership with BaByliss, Electrical Safety First, the Intellectual Property Office, the City of London Corporation’s Trading Standards and London Fire Brigade, is urging shoppers to buy electrical products from reputable sellers.

A recent report produced by Electrical Safety First, showed that out of 1,807 people, 30% of consumers surveyed had been duped by a counterfeit electrical that had been advertised as genuine.  PIPCU is now keen to show that purchasing from reputable retailers offers consumers the reassurance that their item will be genuine whilst meeting UK safety standards.

PIPCU says that traders who import and sell unsafe counterfeit electrical products should be aware that they are committing offences, not only under the Trade Marks Act 1994, but also under safety legislation that is enforced by Trading Standards.

The dangers of purchasing a counterfeit electrical have been well publicised, including fires and electric shock injuries.  However, PIPCU is warning consumers that there is more at stake when buying fake goods online.  PIPCU is warning the public about the consequences of providing personal details to online criminals who then use them to commit fraud such as registering counterfeit websites.  This can result in online shoppers unwittingly becoming victims of identity theft.

PIPCU reminds consumers that just because a web address ends with “.co.uk” does not mean the seller is based in the UK.  If there is no address supplied or there is just a PO Box or email, consumers should be wary, it says.

Director of Copyright and Enforcement at the IPO, Ros Lynch, said: “Partnership working is vital in the fight against intellectual property crime.  Together with [PIPCU] we are working to identify sources of counterfeit electrical goods, and educate the public about the dangers involved in buying such items.  Sadly, evidence shows that there can be serious safety implications”.  To read PIPCU’s press release in full, click here.