Made in Italy unites us – live the experience with us!

presidente@confimicampania.it
en
Made in Italy is not told, it is lived.

Thematic Areas – Focus: Counterfeiting, Italian Sounding, Hybrid Products 

Prot. No. 27/25 Naples, 24/04/2025

FIGHT AGAINST COUNTERFEITING, ITALIAN SOUNDING AND HYBRID PRODUCTS

By President Luigi Carfora – Suggestioni Campane Promotion Consortium & Confimi Industria Campania

1. Introduction: A Systemic Threat to Italian Competitiveness

Counterfeiting, the phenomenon of Italian Sounding, and the spread of so-called "hybrid products" today represent a systemic threat to the Italian production system. This is a parallel economy that deprives Italian businesses of billions of euros annually, undermines the international reputation of Made in Italy, and harms consumers, workers, and local communities.

Companies, especially SMEs, lack the tools and resources to defend themselves. This leads to a structural competitive imbalance where those who produce genuine quality are penalized, while those who simulate Italian identity thrive undisturbed.

2. Italian Sounding and Hybrid Products: The Modern Face of Counterfeiting

Unlike traditional forgery, Italian Sounding does not technically violate trademark rights but cleverly circumvents them using names, flags, colors, and language that "suggest" Italian origin. A jar of "Parmesan" produced in the United States or "Pasta Napoli" made in Germany are not legally counterfeits, but they steal value, identity, and market share from our producers.

Hybrid products, on the other hand, use partial Italian elements (ingredients, packaging, names) to falsely suggest quality, while being assembled or produced elsewhere. This creates market opacity, unfair competition, and confusion—particularly in international markets.

3. Limitations of the Current System

The current system, despite good intentions, remains ineffective because it:

  • acts only upon request by businesses, which must initiate costly legal proceedings;

  • does not allow prosecution ex officio, even in the presence of registered trademarks;

  • focuses on promotion rather than the actual repression of illicit phenomena;

  • relies on digital surveillance tools that are ineffective without strong state action.

4. The Proposal: A New Public Enforcement Body

A new paradigm is needed: the creation of a dedicated public body with operational, investigative, and enforcement powers, with the following functions:

  • automatic activation in cases of illegal use of Italian names or signs abroad;

  • direct cooperation with customs, embassies, foreign chambers of commerce, and online platforms;

  • support for Italian businesses—at no cost to them—in international legal actions;

  • constant monitoring of global marketplaces and distribution channels;

  • data exchange with Europol, Interpol, and non-EU authorities.

A model similar to Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit—but public, Italian, and independent—could represent a historic breakthrough in protecting national productive identity.

5. Our Active Role as Associations: From Promoters to Co-Protagonists of Change

Confimi Industria Campania and Suggestioni Campane Promotion can and must act as drivers of change—not only as spokespeople for businesses' concerns. Our actions will follow four strategic paths:

a) Coordinated Institutional Pressure:

  • drafting and submitting an official policy paper to Parliament, the Ministry for Business and Made in Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister's Office;

  • requesting hearings before the relevant parliamentary committees;

  • involving regional authorities, particularly Campania, to pass a motion of support to be sent to Rome.

b) Operational Alliances with Other Trade Associations:

  • promoting an inter-association coordination task force involving other Confimi territories, Chambers of Commerce, DOP/IGP protection consortia, and consumer organizations;

  • developing a unified platform for the active defense of Made in Italy.

c) Public Awareness and Communication:

  • launching a media campaign with testimonials, company case studies, and impactful infographics;

  • organizing public events, webinars, and institutional roundtables (also at the EU level);

  • maintaining a presence at international trade fairs with educational materials on counterfeit Made in Italy products.

d) Legal and Technical Collaboration with Experts:

  • establishing a network of legal experts, customs consultants, and former financial police officers to monitor, report, and support businesses in protection procedures;

  • offering free technical training for companies on how to register and defend trademarks and patents abroad.

6. Conclusion: A Cultural Battle Before a Legal One

The fight against counterfeiting is not just an economic or legal issue. It is a cultural battle—a matter of values, identity, and justice. Italian businesses are not asking for handouts, but for fair competitive conditions. As representative associations, our duty is to raise the stakes and call on the State to stop being a bystander.

Italy can and must become the first European country to adopt a public, comprehensive protection system for Made in Italy. And we can win this battle—if we act together.

PRESIDENT OF THE CONSORTIUM
SUGGESTIONI CAMPANE PROMOTION &
– CONFIMI INDUSTRIA CAMPANIA –

LUIGI CARFORA

Counterfeiting of Made in Italy Products Worldwide: What Remedies to Curb the Phenomenon? 🇮🇹❌

A Strategic Call for National and International Action to Protect Italian Excellence and Economic Integrity


On Monday, March 25, 2019, the roundtable organized by the Consorzio Suggestioni Campane Promotion was held under the title:
"Counterfeiting of Made in Italy Products Worldwide: What Remedies to Curb the Phenomenon?"
The event took place at the Officers' Club of the Italian Navy in Naples (Via Cesario Console, 3). ⚓️

The event was granted the moral patronage of the Order of Chartered Accountants of Northern Naples, Confapi, and Casartigiani, and was animated by the participation of member companies. 💼

The meeting was opened and moderated by the President of the Consortium, Luigi Carfora, and featured a rich program of interventions. Following welcome remarks by:

  • Antonio Tuccillo, President of the Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts of Northern Naples

  • Pasquale D'Errico, Provincial Secretary of UCID Naples

  • Fabrizio Luongo, Deputy Vice President of the Naples Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicraft and Agriculture

…the debate moved into full swing with the contributions of:

  • Vincenzo Maresca, Commander of the Carabinieri Health Protection Group of Naples 🛡️

  • Francesco Ferace, Commander of the Carabinieri Anti-Counterfeiting Currency Unit 💰

  • Emilio Alfano, President of Confapi Campania 💼

  • Nazzareno Iarusso, National President of Federarchitetti 🏛️

  • Luciano Luongo, President of Casartigiani 🛠️

  • Carmine Coviello, lawyer specialized in trademarks and design ⚖️

  • Brunella Cimadomo, journalist and communication manager 📰

President Luigi Carfora, explaining the motivations behind the conference and quoting data from EUIPO, highlighted how counterfeiting costs Italy €8 billion per year 💸 and causes the loss of 52,000 jobs. This figure, though limited to traceable data, already measures the scope of the problem. Broken down per capita, it translates into a loss of €142 per person. Carfora stressed the urgency of joining forces to protect Made in Italy, especially in light of the current debate surrounding the Belt and Road Initiative. 🌍

All speakers committed to fostering dialogue and cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting and Italian Sounding. In particular, Brunella Cimadomo proposed the idea of a smartphone application 📱 that, through the civic sense of Italians worldwide, could help identify and report counterfeit products on the market. 🚫

Following this proposal, Luigi Carfora signed an agreement with Realia Srl for member companies, allowing them to benefit from the collaborative features of an Innovative Start-Up operating as a network to protect Made in Italy against counterfeiting and Italian Sounding.

President Carfora added:
"Building customer loyalty through the strength of the Italian business network, creating a true 'System' within the system of quality, is essential. However, this alone is not enough to curb the spread of counterfeits and Italian Sounding. Institutional support is needed, with an international Public Intelligence Service 🕵️‍♂️, and the Italian State must prosecute such crimes ex officio, without placing the financial burden on Italian companies, which often lack the size or resources to tackle these issues alone."

In conclusion, Luigi Carfora reaffirmed the Consortium's commitment to defend, represent and support Italian businesses, so that they may benefit from rightful economic prosperity, to be shared throughout our country. 🇮🇹💪

https://fb.watch/za1CE4SRq3/ 


Chatbot Suggestioni Campane
I'm here to assist you!

At Confimi Industria Campania, we are committed to combating the growing threats of counterfeiting, Italian Sounding, and hybrid products. These issues undermine the integrity of authentic Italian brands and businesses. Our initiatives focus on providing strategic solutions and advocacy to protect Italian industry and ensure the continued success of high-quality, authentic Italian products in global markets.