March 19, 2003

According to the Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR), the damage caused by counterfeit products in Russia exceeded $2 billion in 2002. According to the Coalition's forecasts, this year's figure could reach $4-5 billion. CIPR President Peter Necarsulmer provided this information at a press conference in Moscow.

According to a survey conducted by the Coalition, 93 percent of Muscovites purchased counterfeit products in 2002. Three quarters of the respondents said they were unaware that they were purchasing counterfeit products, and one quarter knowingly sought out fake products to buy. The majority of Muscovites named their low incomes as the main reason. Twelve hundred Muscovites took part in the survey, which was held from November 5 to December 5, 2002.

In his speech at the survey presentation, Dmitry Yanin, the chairman of the board of the Confederation of Consumer Associations (KonfOP), noted the necessity for developing a long-term startegy for the fight against counterfeits, which would envisage the reduction of prices for original products, a price increase for counterfeits, and consumer education.

The Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights unites private companies and public organizations, coordinating their efforts to improve the mechanisms of protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Baltic States and CIS countries.