Due to a joint operation between the Italian Guardia di Finanza, the Intellectual Property Crime Coordination Centre and the law enforcement agencies of nine EU member states, over 20 thousand packages have recently been seized and thousands of bank accounts shut down. The confiscations applied to sports goods, medicine, mobile phones, bags, jewellery, sunglasses, clothing items, watches, perfumes, cosmetics and illegal IPTV set-top boxes. The operation led to the arrest of over 30 suspects with an additional 110 people reported to the relevant authorities. 3,300 websites have also been shut down.

The lack of quality control, failure to comply with legal requirements, fake toys, medicine, spare parts and body care products, plus violation of consumer-protection rules regarding the use of chemicals used in the making of fake luxury items and clothing, all pose a serious threat to the health of consumers.

The activity of the IPC³ is based on a strategic agreement between EUROPOL and EUIPO, with the chief goal to support cooperation in combatting the infringement of intellectual property rights. Specialists from EUROPOL provide support and coordinate several international operations for a wide spectrum of fight against crime.

JULIUS-K9® was the only Hungarian company to actively support “Operation Aphrodite II”, a measure that made sure products that violate the intellectual property rights of the company were deleted from Facebook and Instagram social media platforms.