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The HSD Trendmonitor is designed to provide access to relevant content on various subjects in the safety and security domain, to identify relevant developments and to connect knowledge and organisations. The safety and security domain encompasses a vast number of subjects. Four relevant taxonomies (type of threat or opportunity, victim, source of threat and domain of application) have been constructed in order to visualize all of these subjects. The taxonomies and related category descriptions have been carefully composed according to other taxonomies, European and international standards and our own expertise.
In order to identify safety and security related trends, relevant reports and HSD news articles are continuously scanned, analysed and classified by hand according to the four taxonomies. This results in a wide array of observations, which we call ‘Trend Snippets’. Multiple Trend Snippets combined can provide insights into safety and security trends. The size of the circles shows the relative weight of the topic, the filters can be used to further select the most relevant content for you. If you have an addition, question or remark, drop us a line at info@securitydelta.nl.
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Intellectual property rights infringement causes considerable economic, environmental and health consequences
The economic impact of intellectual property rights infringements is considerable. The distribution of counterfeit and pirated goods cuts revenue for legitimate businesses, negatively affects their reputation and deprives governments of tax revenue.
This type of criminal activity also hampers innovation and leads to job losses. A series of studies over recent years by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) estimates that 13 market sectors particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting have experienced direct annual losses. Collectively, these sectors lose €60 billion a year, or 7.5 % of their total sales.
In addition to harming the economy, counterfeit goods can have a serious impact on the health and safety of consumers, as well as negative environmental consequences. Reliable quantitative assessments of this type of harm are generally not available, but law enforcement authorities in the EU frequently detect counterfeit goods that could pose considerable dangers to consumers or the environment. In recent years, there has been an increase in everyday consumer items targeted by counterfeiters, many of which pose considerable risks to the health and wellbeing of consumers. These common consumer items include cosmetics, electronics, food and drinks, pharmaceuticals, spare vehicle parts and toys.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, OCGs involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods have once again proven highly adaptable in terms of shifting product focus, marketing and packaging.
Some of the platforms used to advertise and sell these goods predate the COVID-19 pandemic and have been monitored by law enforcement authorities. In addition to these established platforms, a significant number of new websites were created for the express purpose of profiting from the pandemic.
These websites sell fake COVID-19 home test kits and offer unconfirmed and often incorrect advice on the treatment of COVID-19.
Some criminal groups may seize opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis to offer counterfeit or substandard food items more widely due to increased demand following fears of a perceived food shortage. Particular attention should be paid to developments and criminal innovation if a genuine vaccine for COVID-19 is developed as this will likely prompt a wave of offers for counterfeit vaccines.