Young people knowingly buy counterfeit goods because of price

Thirty per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds have knowingly bought counterfeit goods in the past 12 months, with price the main reason, DR reports. The figure rises to 34 per cent among young women, compared with 28 per cent among young men.

The findings come from a new analysis by Epinion for the Danish Patent and Trademark Office. The survey is based on responses from 1,019 people aged 15 to 24.

Barbara Suhr-Jessen, a section manager at the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, said the figures were concerning.

“We know that buying counterfeit goods is not risk-free, and that many young people only become aware of the consequences when they experience problems themselves,” she said in a press release.

Counterfeit goods are often introduced to young people through social media and friends. TikTok and Instagram play a particularly important role among the youngest respondents.

The youngest group also buys counterfeit goods most frequently. Thirty-seven per cent of 15 to 17-year-olds had bought such products in the past year, compared with 24 per cent of those aged 22 to 24.

Clothing is the most popular category, with more than half of young people who buy counterfeit goods saying they have bought clothes. Shoes, bags, cosmetics, jewellery and watches are also common purchases.

More than half of respondents said the lower price was a reason for buying counterfeit goods, while 34 per cent said they could not afford the original branded products.

Suhr-Jessen said many young people regard the purchases as practical and unremarkable. They often think about the risks only when something goes wrong, such as poor quality, non-delivery or problems with payment or security.