Counterfeit seizures double in 2009

The number of seizures of counterfeit products at Switzerland’s border almost doubled in 2009 from the previous year, according to the Stop Piracy website.

The number of seizures jumped to 2,402 from 1,209, said the website operated by the Swiss Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Platform, a group backed by Swiss business groups.

Most of the phony merchandise consisted of bags, clothing, medicine and watches, the platform said.

The value of the contraband in 2009 fell to 4.7 million francs from 14 million francs in the previous year.

Swiss Customs agents last year encountered more cases of individuals seeking to illegally import small amounts of counterfeit goods, said Stop Piracy in explaining the lower value.

The platform was founded in 2005 with a goal of protecting Swiss businesses, particularly in the luxury goods industry, from fake products.