Detectives from the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU), in collaboration with representatives of the Cyber Police, have uncovered a network distributing counterfeit agrochemicals that were being sold under the names of well-known brands, according to the Intellectual Property Rights Infringement Monitoring Center (IPR Center), which operates under Ukrainian IP Office (UANIPIO).
According to the information of Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU), two organized criminal groups developed an illegal scheme for the manufacture and sale of counterfeit plant protection products, labeling them with the logos of well-known global agrochemical manufacturers.
At the same time, the “products” were manufactured under conditions completely unsuitable for this purpose using unknown substances, including food ingredients and even construction mixtures. They were packaged in containers bearing the logos of well-known brands and sold online and through postal operators.
The damages to rights holders caused by such illegal activities has already exceeded 2 million Ukrainian hryvnias. The extent of the financial losses incurred by official product distributors, as well as the number of farms that may have been harmed by the use of counterfeit agrochemicals, is still being determined by the investigation.
Six members of organized groups have been notified of suspicion of illegally using a trademark for goods and services, or a trade name, if this caused material damage on a particularly large scale, committed by a group of persons acting in concert.
IPR Infringement Monitoring Center draws attention to how damaging counterfeit products and their distribution are, not only for the state’s economy but also for food security. It is important not only to combat counterfeiting but also to raise public awareness regarding counterfeit goods. This is the main issue the IPR Monitoring Center is actively working on to increase citizens’ legal awareness.
In particular, the TRUST THE ORIGINAL awareness campaign focused on the harm caused by counterfeit goods to businesses and consumers.
The IPR Monitoring Center’s report notes that in 2025, the ESBU detectives were handling 82 criminal cases involving offenses under Article 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
During the same period, the Cyberpolice Department of the National Police of Ukraine was actively investigating 28 criminal cases as part of efforts to combat IP rights violations committed using modern information technologies.
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