Seen and heard: counterfeiting news in brief

China slams counterfeit claims, counterfeiters 'losing interest, fake krone notes, and cedar wood traceability.

China refutes claims it is main source of EU fakes

China slammed a Europol and EUIPO report that suggested it is the main source of counterfeit goods in the EU, describing it as "irresponsible" and claiming that the "authenticity and objectivity of the statistics presented by the report should be further studied." Counterfeit goods were estimated to have amounted to approximately 12.5 per cent of China's total exports and more than 1.5 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) las year. Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Sun Jiwen – who made the comments – said the country has embarked on an "intense crackdown" on intellectual property violations, said Reuters.

Alibaba says counterfeiters 'have lost interest'

An Alibaba executive has claimed the market for counterfeiters is sputtering as Chinese consumers develop a taste for genuine, quality brands, according to a CNBC report. Gao Hongbing – vice president of Alibaba's AliResearch unit – made the statements in a question and answer session at the World Economic Forum's 'Summer Davos' meeting in Dalian, China. He suggested young consumers in particular are becoming more discerning when it comes to products quality and branding.

Norway finds fakes of new series banknote

Police in Norway have confirmed that they have discovered fake versions of the country's new 200 krone note, which was issued last year and has a range of security features designed to deter counterfeiters, reports thelocal.no. Copies of older 50 kroner notes – which have not yet been updated – have also been discovered and three people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Morocco's Ifrane National Park to use traceability system for cedar wood

Ifrane National Park has contracted Germany's GFA Consulting Group GmbH to develop a traceability system for cedar wood in order to reduce illegal logging, improve control processes for logged wood and the monitoring of wood flows as well as to increase revenues from wood sales. The introduction of the traceability system for cedar wood is meant to support national forest authorities in the implementation of transparent wood-selling and marketing procedures. More information can be found here.