VENICE—The Italian Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers (ANFAO) promoted the first National Anti-Counterfeiting Day on July 7 throughout Italy.
The event’s primary objective of increasing the awareness of both companies and citizens on the phenomenon of counterfeiting, intending to become a starting point for further initiatives to fight the marketing of fake goods, the organization said.
“In Venice, we decided to carry out an important protest demonstration,” explained Tabacchi. “On a floating platform in front of Palazzo Labia, in Campo San Geremia, more than 5,000 pairs of counterfeit glasses were destroyed by a steamroller, together with Murano glass and shoes, all representing the qualitative excellence of goods produced in northeastern Italy. A striking message to say ‘no to knock-offs!’”
According to the release, during the first nine months of last year alone, the Guardia di Finanza (the Italian Tax Police) confiscated more than 112 million fake products in Italy, recording a sharp increase in the fashion sector with more than 19.5 million pieces seized. Since industrial and commercial counterfeiting today represents 5 percent to 7 percent of worldwide trade, a release from ANFAO said, the turnover generated by this phenomenon is threatening the national and international economy and its short- and long-term development.
In addition to notable economic damage, counterfeit products also constitute a threat for consumer safety. For this reason, Italian eyewear, represented by ANFAO, has long been aware of this phenomenon and for years has been leading the fight against counterfeiting.
“Counterfeit sunglasses[and prescription glasses] expose eyes and vision to risks due to non-compliant lenses, and they can also bring on devastating allergic reactions to the skin caused by the materials used to make the frames,” Tabacchi explained.