Nearly 25% of all the video-game products and 20% of the mobile phones shipped internationally are counterfeit.
These goods are part of the more than $140-billion trade in fake information and communication technology (ICT) products, according to a recent report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Counterfeit goods include those that infringe trademarks or patents.
The OECD found that 6.5% of the world’s ICT products traded across borders are counterfeit, compared to 2.5% of all traded goods. The data is based on about a half-million global customs seizures from 2011-2013.
Where do these fake electronics come from? China and Hong Kong mostly—more than 85% of all counterfeit ICT products come from just those two countries.
Where do they go? More than 40% land in the US—four times more than any other country. Saudi Arabia is the only other country that takes in more than 10%.