Three Indian markets across different cities and three online platforms have been identified for engaging in substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy in the recently released annual Notorious Markets List by the US Trade Representatives, meanwhile China maintains its position as the number one source of counterfeit products globally.
Among the three Indian markets mentioned are Heera Panna in Mumbai, Tank Road in Karol Bagh, New Delhi, and Sadar Patrappa Road Market in Bengaluru. Online platforms IndiaMart, Vegamovies, and WHMCS Smarters are also included in the list.
The 3 Indian Markets Included in the list
- Delhi’s Tank Road is a well-known wholesale market offering affordable clothing, particularly renowned for its extensive selection of denim.
- Sadar Patrappa Road (SP Road) in Bengaluru's KR Market serves as a hub for electronic, hardware, and machine tool goods, albeit gaining notoriety for counterfeit products.
- Heera Panna shopping centre near Mumbai's Haji Ali junction is infamous for selling knock-offs of popular global brands, attracting shoppers seeking discounted "first copies" and "second copies."
Interestingly, both Heera Panna and Tank Road were highlighted in a 2021 report, alongside Delhi's Palika Bazar anf Kolkata's Kidderpore, as part of the 2021 Notorious Markets List released in February 2022, which identified 42 online and 35 physical markets globally.
About the List
The 2023 Notorious Markets List highlights 39 online markets and 33 physical markets involved in illicit activities. Following the List's release on Tuesday, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai emphasized "The trade in counterfeit and pirated goods harms workers, consumers, and small businesses, and ultimately hurts the US economy."
She highlighted "This year's Notorious Markets List is significant because it underscores the potential dangers of counterfeit goods and why robust enforcement to combat trade in these goods is important to growing our economy from the middle out and the bottom up," she said.
USTR has been identifying notorious markets since the 2006 Special 301 Report, and since February 2011, the Notorious Markets List has been published annually, separately from the Special 301 Report, to raise public awareness and assist market operators and governments in prioritizing intellectual property enforcement efforts for the benefit of US workers and businesses.
China at the Top Spot
China remains a significant contributor to counterfeit products globally, accounting for 60% of the value of seized counterfeit and pirated goods in 2022.
The report identifies China-based e-commerce and social commerce markets such as Taobao, WeChat, DHGate, and Pinduoduo, along with the cloud storage service Baidu Wangpan. Additionally, seven physical markets in China are listed for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods.
With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, physical markets have experienced increased foot traffic, leading to a resurgence in counterfeit sales. The report notes that sellers of counterfeit merchandise often use physical storefronts for customer interactions, sample testing, and fulfilment of online sales.
The report highlighted that, "USTR encourages China to modify and expand the scope of robust enforcement actions to respond to the changing nature of counterfeit sales at physical markets, with a special focus on the following key markets,"
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