Snapdeal, 4 Indian buying complexes determine in US Notorious Markets List

Snapdeal, one in all India’s largest e-commerce platforms, together with 4 Indian buying complexes, two of them in New Delhi alone, have figured within the newest 2020 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy issued by the Office of the US Trade Representative.
The 4 Indian markets which have discovered point out within the record are Heera Panna in Mumbai, Kidderpore in Kolkata and Palika Bazaar and Tank Road in Delhi.
Aizawl’s Millennium Center was talked about within the final record of infamous markets, however now it has been changed by Palika Bazaar.
“Holding intellectual property rights violators accountable and ensuring that American innovators and creators have a full and fair opportunity to use and profit from their work is critical for both physical and online markets,” US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer mentioned.
In addition to addressing the function of e-commerce in facilitating the sale of pirated and counterfeit items, the 2020 Review of Notorious Markets identifies 39 on-line markets and 34 bodily markets which might be reported to be engaged in or have facilitated substantial trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy.
The report contains for the primary time a bit addressing the function of web platforms in facilitating the importation of counterfeit and pirated items into the United States.
“Today, the greatest risk of importation of counterfeit and pirated goods, harming both US content creators and US consumers, is posed not by foreign flea markets and dark web sites but by inadequate policies and inadequate action by e-commerce companies that market and sell foreign products to American consumers,” Lighthizer mentioned.
“Combatting piracy and counterfeits will require sustained effort by both the federal government and by companies that profit from the sale of such goods,” the official mentioned.
Although the vast majority of counterfeit items seized by American regulation enforcement companies originate in China and Hong Kong – 92 per cent by worth – the issue is world, with extra main factors of origin, together with India, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, the report mentioned.
The USTR mentioned Snapdeal stays a priority for proper holders who report that the amount of counterfeit merchandise on this platform has elevated over the previous yr.
“According to a November 2018 survey, 37 per cent of purchasers reported that they had received a counterfeit product from Snapdeal. In July 2019, Snapdeal’s founders were accused of criminal conduct in India for selling counterfeit products there. Right holders have also sued Snapdeal for selling counterfeit goods,” it mentioned.
The USTR mentioned Heera Panna, a significant indoor market situated on the coronary heart of Mumbai, reportedly provides top quality counterfeit watches, footwear, attire, equipment, and cosmetics. Right holders warn that counterfeit cosmetics offered at this market have well being and security dangers.
Locally often known as “Fancy Market”, Kidderpore in Kolkata reportedly sells counterfeit shopper electronics, attire, cosmetics, and pirated software program and media, usually at wholesale portions, the report mentioned.
Palika Bazaar, the underground market in Delhi is reportedly well-known for the commerce of counterfeit merchandise. Many customers are reportedly college students and different younger individuals who need fashionable merchandise at low-cost costs. The market can be a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers, the USTR mentioned.
According to the report, Tank Road continues to promote counterfeit merchandise, together with attire and footwear. Wholesale counterfeit items are additionally reportedly equipped from this market to different Indian markets, together with Gaffar Market and Ajmal Khan Road.
Right holders report that conducting enforcement actions at this location is pricey and difficult, and sellers usually seem to have superior information of raids, limiting their effectiveness, it mentioned.