IOC Confiscates Counterfeit Goods As Paris Olympics Commence

IOC Confiscates Counterfeit Goods As Paris Olympics Commence

It detected and intercepted fake products before they reached the market

As the 2024 Summer Olympic Games began, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has intensified efforts to tackle counterfeits.

It is acting against IP infringements, including counterfeit Olympic-branded merchandise with help from the Paris Organising Committee. It is being supported by certain actors and concerned authorities, including the French anti-counterfeiting and IP rights protection association UNIFAB.

The IOC observed that the commonly identified items were apparel and products featuring the official mascots of the games – the Olympic Phryge. It is modelled on a Phrygian hat chosen as a symbol of freedom. The unlawful resale of tickets and hospitality packages is also being targeted.

The Committee strengthened its efforts to detect and intercept counterfeit goods before they reached the market.

In 2023, it enhanced its partnership with the World Customs Organisation and joined the Memorandum of Understanding of the European Commission on the Sale of Counterfeit Goods on the Internet. The prompt move bolstered its ability to combat online sales of fake merchandise.

The IOC regularly trains law enforcement authorities worldwide to detect Olympic counterfeit products. In preparation for the games, over 20,000 law enforcement officials were trained.

Thus, even before the Olympics began, Paris officials were in action mode. In April, in the Saint-Ouen flea market, close to where athletes are competing, the police shut down 11 stores selling fake bags and shoes. Over 63,000 fake garments, shoes and leather goods of brands including Louis Vuitton and Nike, were confiscated.

The IOC relies heavily on the sponsorship of global brands like Coca-Cola and LVMH to help fund the staging of the Games. Being an official sponsor, exclusive rights are granted to commercially exploit certain marks and symbols related to the Olympic movement and the rights enforced strictly.

In recent years, there’s been a marked increase in the sponsorship of sporting events by luxury and fashion brands. In the present Olympics, French fashion house LVMH has spent $165 million.

The Committee stresses that imitations undermine official merchandise and the rights of commercial partners and can be risky to consumers due to substandard materials and manufacturing processes.

Anne-Sophie Voumard, the managing director of IOC television and marketing services, explained that the sale of officially licensed products supports efforts “in giving back 90 percent of revenue to athletes and sports development worldwide. This amounts to $4.2m daily. The contribution is important in regions that solely depend on solidarity funding from the IOC.”

Its anti-counterfeiting program includes advanced authentication and traceability technological measures, allowing buyers to easily verify the authenticity of Olympic and Paralympic-branded merchandise. The measures are designed to be “consumer-friendly, ensuring that every purchase supports athletes and upholds the high standards of the Olympic movement.”

About 206 countries are represented in the Summer Olympics and over 10,000 athletes travelled to Paris to compete. Over 15 million tourists are expected to visit the city.