New Delhi: The Authentication Solutions Providers Association (ASPA) recently hosted India’s first international conference on authentication solutions in February 8-9 in New Delhi which aimed at tackling counterfeiting concerns in the country.
Counterfeit IT products that are sold through unauthorized channels [including e-commerce sites] are already a key concern in the IT channel and vendor ecosystem. The forum aims to raise awareness and bring together industry stakeholders and decision-making bodies at a platform to analyze the problem of counterfeiting in the country and provide the solutions to combat this menace.
The conference was organized in collaboration with trade fair organizers Messe Frankfurt India to beat the havoc of counterfeiting post demonetization.
“Spurred by rising cases of infringements, adulteration, the foray of counterfeit products in India, Authentication Solutions Providers Association (ASPA) has joined hands with Messe Frankfurt India (MFI) to host India’s first International exhibition cum conference on authentication solutions,” ASPA said in a release.
“According to sources, from counterfeiting activity, the Government of India incurred the loss of Rs 26,190 crore in 2011-12, which has increased to Rs 39,239 crore in 2013-14, reflecting a growth of 49.8 per cent in two years,” said, U.K. Gupta, ASPA President.
“Counterfeiting is a multi-billion-dollar business today and referred as to as the crime of 21st century. Even, the established link between terrorism and counterfeiting is exposed,” he added.
Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India MD Raj Manek said: “We have been committed to taking steps for protection against brand and product piracy through our ‘Messe Frankfurt against Copying’ campaign.”
“The global anti-counterfeit packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of almost 19% through the forecast period, driven by a rise of omnichannel retailing. This is made possible by the increasing internet penetration and rapidly developing network infrastructure, thereby driving market growth,” said, Sharan Raj, a lead analyst at Technavio.