South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service this week issued a warning to local businesses to be aware of staff that may use their workplace to sell counterfeit goods to colleagues. The advice comes after recent figures by the Alliance Against Counterfeiting and Piracy - a national coalition formed to fight the counterfeiters - estimated that the trade in fakes costs the UK economy around £10billion and 4,100 jobs every year.

The targeted information campaign, called ‘Fakes Cost Jobs’, is designed to alert local businesses that the illegal trade in counterfeit goods may be going on in their place of work, risking the livelihoods of workers and the revenues of businesses involved in the production of genuine goods. Selected businesses and workplaces have been issued with a ‘Fakes Cost Jobs’ pack containing information and statistics on the national counterfeiting problem with posters to remind staff and a briefing note for managers on how to spot the illegal trade in fakes. Businesses are being urged to brief their staff on issues surrounding counterfeiting such as the penalties if caught and the loss of revenues and jobs to legitimate trade. Over 100 large businesses were selected for the campaign as well as NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the Council itself.

This new tactic comes after clampdowns at local markets and other outlets limited the opportunity for sellers of counterfeit goods to sell to the public.

In recent months:

• Two local workers lost their jobs due to illegal activities selling fakes at work.
• A man caught selling pirate copies of the latest movies, music and console games at Troon Harbour received a fine of £3,000 when he pled guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court.
• A Glasgow man and his partner were fined £400 (plus 120 hrs Community Service) and £300 respectively for selling fake copies of DVD’s
• Two houses were searched leading to reports to the Procurator Fiscal.
• Arrest warrants have been issued for four separate individuals charged with counterfeit goods offences who failed to appear at Court.

The increase in Trading Standards enforcement action, together with the sentences being handed out by the courts, has forced counterfeiters to move their sales to less obvious outlets. This change in tactics became apparent to Trading Standards following complaints made to them by concerned members of the public regarding the sale of fake goods in local workplaces.

Councillor Peter Convery, who is responsible for Trading Standards issues within South Ayrshire, commented, “By alerting the local workforce to the facts on counterfeiting it is hoped that we can substantially reduce the amount of counterfeit goods being sold locally. Far from being a ‘victimless crime’ it is local jobs in the manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors that suffer.

Sellers of counterfeits can face a heavy fine, imprisonment and a criminal record. Those caught selling fake goods at their place of work also risk losing their jobs. The ‘Fakes Cost Jobs’
Campaign is about raising awareness amongst employees and employers to the consequences of counterfeit goods being sold in the workplace.“

Trading Standards are urging anyone who has information in relation to the sale of counterfeit goods to contact them on 01292 616020. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.