In continuation of the fight against counterfeiting and piracy both online and offline, an intellectual property crime conference took place during October in Sofia, Bulgaria, co-organised by the Europol and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), along with Bulgaria’s General Directorate Combating Organised Crime (GDBOP)
The key message was that a new wave of online crime is putting consumers, businesses, and the wider economy at risk, from fake medicines and forged wine to illegal streaming platforms; affecting our daily lives with consequences that go far beyond lost revenue.
Illegal streaming and sharing platforms not only drain the cinema, publishing, musical and software industries but also expose viewers, especially children, to unregulated and potentially harmful content. The event also identified and illustrated the dangers of fake pharmaceuticals, counterfeit toys and cosmetics trafficked through clandestine channels
Transition from brick-and-mortar to online
According to the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2025 (EU-SOCTA), published earlier this year, the rapid pace of digital transformation has shifted the trade in counterfeit goods online, leading to a sharp decline in the number of physical retail outlets. The report also highlights that social commerce, the integration of e-commerce with social media, has become a key channel through which counterfeiters reach and entice consumers
This conference brought together law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and industry experts to expose current threats and strengthen international cooperation in the fight against online intellectual property crime. Participants highlighted successful anti-piracy operations, analysed new criminal tactics, from evolving distribution methods and payment systems to the use of malware, and presented Europe’s latest tools, training, and operational actions to protect consumers and creativity in the digital age.
Why it matters
The event highlighted the vital importance of collaboration in tackling online crime. The participants reaffirmed the importance of strong collective efforts in tackling online-enabled intellectual property crime to protect consumers, safeguard creativity and uphold trust in the digital economy.
Further reading
From Click to Crime: Investigating intellectual property crime in the digital age. Press release. October 23, 2025. EUROPOL
The changing DNA of serious and organised crime. EU Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment 2025 (EU-SOCTA). Landing page and link to report. May 27, 2025. Europol
