US Notorious Markets list: IndiaMART and four other Indian markets figure in US Notorious Markets list

IndiaMART, one of many largest Indian e-commerce web sites, together with 4 bodily marketplaces in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai have figured within the newest annual version of the Infamous Markets Record of the US. Launched by the US Commerce Consultant (USTR) on Tuesday, the 2022 Infamous Markets Record identifies 39 on-line and 33 bodily markets which might be reported to interact in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy.

The Indian markets within the listing are IndiaMART, Heera Panna in Mumbai, Kidderpore in Kolkata, Sadar Patrappa Highway Market in Bengaluru, and Tank Highway in Delhi.

“The widespread commerce in counterfeit and pirated items harms the financial safety of American staff and undermines our work to craft equitable and inclusive commerce coverage,” USTR Katherine Tai stated.

“The Infamous Markets Record is a vital software that urges the non-public sector and our buying and selling companions to take motion towards these dangerous practices,” she added.

In keeping with the USTR report, IndiaMART is a high-volume e-commerce web site and cell app that connects consumers with suppliers. It describes itself as the most important on-line business-to-business market in India.

Relating to constructive steps taken over the previous yr, one proper holder reported that IndiaMART has been cooperative in engagement and bettering grievance response instances. Nevertheless, counterfeit items on the e-commerce website, together with prescribed drugs, electronics, and attire, stay a critical concern for different rights holders, the USTR report stated.

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Proper holders dispute that the e-commerce website adequately engaged with them and carried out anti-counterfeiting greatest practices, together with vendor verification, penalties towards recognized sellers of counterfeit items, or proactive monitoring for infringing items. Its assertion relating to the responsiveness of its notice-and-takedown system was additionally questioned. A significant indoor market within the coronary heart of Mumbai, Heera Panna reportedly affords counterfeit watches, footwear, electronics, equipment, and cosmetics.

“Proper holders warn that counterfeit cosmetics offered at this market have well being and security dangers,” the report stated.

Domestically recognized in Kolkata because the “Fancy Market”, Kidderpore incorporates outlets allegedly promoting numerous counterfeit and pirated items, together with attire, cosmetics, electronics, optical media, and software program.

In keeping with the report, Sadar Patrappa (SP) Highway Market in Bengaluru is reported by proper holders as a “scorching spot” for all kinds of counterfeit digital merchandise, attracting massive numbers of locals and vacationers.

The market was discovered to have quite a lot of brokers loitering round and luring prospects. Regardless of a raid on counterfeits on this market in early 2022, enforcement efforts by native authorities have been inadequate to encourage enchancment in it, the report stated.

The report, quoting proper holders, stated that Tank Highway, the New Delhi market, continues to promote counterfeit merchandise, together with attire, footwear, watches, purses, electronics, and wonder merchandise.

Wholesale counterfeit items are reportedly equipped from this market to different Indian markets, together with Gaffar Market and Ajmal Khan Highway.

In keeping with the proper holders, native police have carried out some enforcement actions, however these efforts have been inadequate in considerably decreasing the gross sales of counterfeits available in the market, the report stated.

USTR is an company of the US authorities chargeable for creating and selling American commerce coverage.

It first recognized infamous markets within the Particular 301 Report in 2006. It has been publishing the Infamous Markets Record yearly since February 2011, individually from the Particular 301 Report, to extend public consciousness and assist market operators and governments prioritise mental property enforcement efforts that defend American companies and their staff.