Penalties threaten: Figures pay expensive on vacation!

Penalties threaten: Figures pay expensive on vacation!

Spanien - During the vacation time, the temptation is large to buy fake branded brands. However, buyers of these pirated copies have to expect high punishments, both at the holiday destination and in Germany. This reports Schwäbische . Strict punishments are imposed in popular holiday countries such as Spain and Italy. Eva Schewior, President of the German Patent and Trademark Office, explains the problem and points out that such counterfeits are often sold by criminal networks.

Frequently fake products include football jerseys, luxury watches and sunglasses. When returning to Germany or sending packages, a customs control threatens. Last year 16,857 cases of illegal goods were evaluated and destroyed by customs. The value of the confiscated goods was 417 million euros - more than twice as high as in the previous year. Schewior appeals to the holidaymakers to spend their vacation without counterfeits.

Legal framework in Germany

In Germany, it is generally not punishable for private individuals to buy a forgery of brands. However, plagiarism may only be purchased for your own use and not in large quantities for resale. When importing goods, travel freedoms must be observed that can vary depending on the product. The travel free limit for adults on flight or ship trips is 430 euros. This border is based on the actual value of the goods.

For goods without special free quantities, such as alcohol or tobacco products, special regulations apply. If customs are suspected of a fake, products can be confiscated. In the event of illegal commercial import, customs can withstand the goods and, in the worst case, even destroy. The classification as a commercial import always depends on the amount and type of products, which does not always make the demarcation between commercial and private purchase.

tips for vacationers

buyers should only buy one or two pieces of their own size, since the purchase of several similar articles can give the impression that they are intended for resale. Law holder can also send warnings to buyers if there is suspicion of commercial use. In the event of uncertainties, it is advisable to obtain legal advice from lawyers specializing in trademark law, such as the Consumer center Lower Saxony explained.