Counterfeit products cause to the German company damages of more than € 54 billion in the year. The Newspapers of the Funke media group reported on Saturday citing a study by the employer near Institute of the German economy (IW) on behalf of the Initiative New Social market economy (INSM).

“Every tenth company in Germany has become in the past five years, at least once victims of product – and brand piracy,” said IW expert Oliver Koppel the Newspapers. Were interviewed, therefore, companies from the industrial, business-related services, as well as in the construction industry.

500,000 jobs

in addition to the immediate loss of revenue for the companies concerned, the damage manifests itself, according to the report, the fact that in this scope of jobs in German companies, are eliminated, which otherwise would be created. The IW is accordingly expecting around 500,000 jobs.