In the heart of Paris, ACTA-GM raises awareness among the general public about the risks of counterfeiting at La Poste Louvre
In a context marked by the rapid growth of e-commerce, the multiplication of digital platforms and the fast evolution of consumer habits, raising public awareness about counterfeiting has become an essential priority. Today, consumers are exposed daily to thousands of offers circulating online and through social media, often without clear visibility regarding the origin, quality or compliance of the products being offered.
In response to this reality, ACTA-GM organised a major awareness initiative at La Poste du Louvre, in partnership with La Poste, as part of The Watchers Club, its educational and civic programme.
The initiative aimed to raise direct awareness among consumers regarding the consequences of counterfeiting and to highlight that this issue no longer concerns luxury products alone. Today, counterfeiting affects nearly every sector of everyday consumption, including cosmetics, medicines, electronics, clothing, toys, accessories and digital content.
Organised in one of the most iconic and highly frequented locations in the French capital, the initiative enabled ACTA-GM to engage directly with the public in an everyday environment welcoming thousands of visitors, families, tourists and postal users. The objective was to move beyond traditional institutional settings and create an accessible space for dialogue around intellectual property, responsible consumption and the dangers associated with illicit trade.
Over several days, ACTA-GM teams facilitated awareness spaces through interactive discussions, educational materials, visual content and presentations of The Watchers Club programme. This intentionally accessible and educational approach made it possible to address concrete issues linked to today’s consumer habits.
Visitors were able to discover the often-overlooked impacts of counterfeiting, including health risks linked to counterfeit cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, dangers posed by non-compliant electronic devices, economic consequences for businesses and creators, as well as the financing of criminal networks and environmental impacts associated with illicit production.
The initiative also helped raise awareness regarding new forms of fraud circulating online and across social media. Many discussions focused on purchases made through unofficial platforms, misleading promotions, fake online stores and risks associated with temporary sales promoted through certain applications and social media channels.
Thanks to a dialogue-based and proximity-driven approach, visitors had the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and receive practical advice to better identify warning signs before making a purchase. This direct interaction with the public proved to be one of the most impactful aspects of the initiative.
The Watchers Club, developed by ACTA-GM, played a central role in this initiative. Designed as a modern awareness tool aimed at younger generations as well as the wider public, the programme combines educational materials, comics, audiovisual content and interactive tools to make intellectual property issues more accessible and tangible.
The results of the initiative demonstrate its particularly positive impact. According to the satisfaction survey conducted during the event, 82.9% of respondents considered the messages presented to be very clear, while 85% stated that they were likely to change their purchasing habits after participating in the initiative or engaging with the materials provided.
These results highlight the importance of developing field-based initiatives directly accessible to consumers. Beyond the figures, many visitors expressed surprise regarding certain risks linked to counterfeiting, particularly in relation to healthcare products, cosmetics and electronic devices. Many also acknowledged that they had not fully realised the economic and societal scale of the issue prior to the awareness sessions.
This initiative perfectly illustrates the need to rethink awareness methods in response to the new realities of global and digital trade. Today, consumers must be supported in developing a true culture of vigilance and responsibility in their purchasing decisions.
Through this initiative at La Poste du Louvre, ACTA-GM reaffirms its commitment to continuing the development of innovative educational and awareness programmes across Africa, the Greater Maghreb and Europe, in cooperation with authorities, businesses, institutions and partners committed to intellectual property protection.
The Watchers Club programme will continue to evolve through new public campaigns, educational workshops, audiovisual content and field initiatives aimed at further raising awareness among consumers and younger generations about the dangers of counterfeiting and illicit trade.
Because today, the fight against counterfeiting does not rely solely on controls or sanctions. It also depends on the collective ability to inform, educate and support consumers so that they themselves become actors of vigilance and prevention.
ACTA-GM warmly thanks La Poste, all mobilised teams, partners and visitors who contributed to the success of this awareness initiative in the heart of Paris.
