PRESS RELEASE

THE ICA SUSPENDED 252 WEBSITES SELLING COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS

Upon the closing of nine proceedings against as many online operators selling counterfeit products, the ICA ascertained a series of unfair and deceitful commercial practices and ordered the suspension within two days of “all activities aimed at spreading the contents” of 252 websites, all located abroad.

Owing to various complaints, in particular filed by Adoc and Indicam (Istituto Centromarca per la lotta alla contraffazione), the Italian Competition Authority found that the mentioned websites provided “information not corresponding to truth as regards the nature and characteristics of the products and various brands”. Moreover, “relevant information concerning the operators’ identity and geographical address” was omitted.

The 252 suspended websites sold various types of products, such as: famous brand sunglasses, considered dangerous because some of their characteristics – security standards for filtering UV rays and the quality of the lens – did not correspond to what indicated; shoes and trainers on which many samples impounded showed the presence of exhavalent chrome, a highly toxic substance, or of Dmf, a substance against mould present in the baggies placed in the shoe boxes.

In case of non-compliance, the ICA will impose fines from 10 thousand to 5 million Euros. In case of reiterated non-compliance, the operators’ activity will be suspended for not more than 30 days. Measures will be implemented through the collaboration of the ICA’s Special Unit of the Guardia di Finanza.

Rome, 6 June 2016