The ContiTech Power Transmission Group has scored a major success in its fight against  brand counterfeiters. Counterfeit V-ribbed belts were discovered in a warehouse in Casablanca, Morocco, which had been prepared for sale by a local retailer to look like Contitech product. After a tip-off from ContiTech, the local authorities seized the belts and had them destroyed. The retailer now faces legal prosecution.

"In addition to counterfeits of other manufacturers' products, ContiTech rip-offs were discovered during raids on several retailers. We acted quickly and took the appropriate measures together with all those involved," said Steffen Than, Pricing Manager Europe and Trademark Protection Officer at the ContiTech Power Transmission Group. Investigators, lawyers, and ContiTech employees all worked closely with the Moroccan authorities. The police forces confiscated the counterfeit goods shortly after the first allegations surfaced.

To protect itself from pirate products, the ContiTech Power Transmission Group promotes a comprehensive approach consisting of organizational, technical, legal, and communicative measures. "We inform and warn retailers and garages of the dangers involved in using pirate products," says Helmut Engel, head of the Automotive Aftermarket at the ContiTech Power Transmission Group. Contitech say that pirate products have substandard material properties and inferior workmanship, which can mean higher maintenance and repair costs and the possibility of engine damage.