SECURE COUNTERFEIT PROTECTION

Globalized supply chains and the rapid growth of e-commerce have made it easier for counterfeiters to produce, advertise and distribute fake goods across borders. Online marketplaces and social media provide direct access to consumers, while small parcel shipments make counterfeit products more difficult for customs authorities to detect.

At the same time, complex supply chains, inconsistent enforcement and limited resources create gaps that criminal networks can exploit. The high potential profits and comparatively low risk of detection make counterfeiting an attractive business model for organized crime.

To protect products from counterfeiting, companies can implement several strategies like tamper-evident packaging and holographic labels with visible residue or pattern when removed, that are difficult to replicate, digital authentication technologies like QR-codes for product verification and serialization by assigning identifiers to each product unit to track and verify authenticity throughout the supply chain.

The discovery of counterfeit products on the internet is a serious incident. It damages your brand, unsettles customers, and can involve legal risks. Companies should act immediately, systematically, and decisively.

1. Secure evidence
   Document the counterfeit with screenshots, URLs, order details, product photos and—if possible—by purchasing a sample product. This evidence is essential for later legal action.
2. Contact the platform
   Report the incident to the relevant sales platform (e.g. Amazon, eBay, Alibaba) using the appropriate brand protection or IP infringement form. Many platforms respond within a few days if the brand is registered.
   Good experiences have also been made with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which helps companies get in touch with local producers and apply targeted pressure. 
3. Seek legal advice
   Consult with your legal department or specialized IP lawyers on whether cease-and-desist letters, preliminary injunctions, or criminal complaints are appropriate—particularly in cases involving professional counterfeiters or repeated abuse. The chances of success vary depending on the jurisdiction of the distributor.
4. Inform customers
   Use your channels (website, newsletter, social media) to warn customers about counterfeits and explain the characteristics of genuine products. This strengthens trust in your brand and raises awareness among potential buyers.
5. Establish internal reporting systems
   Set up an internal process for handling counterfeit alerts—e.g. a central email address or ticket system for tips from sales, customer service, or field staff.
6. Prevent long-term issues
   In addition to immediate measures, companies should also invest in prevention. This includes tamper-evident security (seal) labels, digital product protection solutions, and collaboration with online brand protection providers that systematically monitor marketplaces for counterfeits. This makes it harder for counterfeiters to access the market—and easier for customers to identify genuine products.

The key difference lies in their interaction: physical measures are visible, offering immediate, straightforward verification, while digital measures are dynamic, providing detailed, up-to-date information that can be accessed online. Combining both approaches can create a robust defense against counterfeiting, ensuring products are secure and authentic from production to consumer use. Securikett offers both features in one package.

Identify the level of security needed, from basic measures like branded tamper-evident seals with residue effect to advanced technologies like holographic labels and digital tracking systems. It’s important to consider the ease of implementation and scalability of the solution, ensuring it can grow with your business and adapt to evolving threats. Securikett solutions are scalable.

Yes. Digital authentication solutions such as unique QR codes or NFC tags can do more than verify whether a product is genuine. They can also connect customers directly with the brand and provide access to product information, instructions, warranty registration, loyalty programs or personalized content.

Every authentication scan can therefore become a valuable customer interaction—strengthening trust while giving brands greater insight into how, where and when their products are used.

Holograms provide visual protection but are most effective when combined with serialization or digital authentication technologies.