Brescia Court Orders Seized Counterfeit Goods to Charity for Donation

The operations of the Guardia di Finanza in Salò aimed at uncovering the trade of counterfeit goods culminated in the seizure of a substantial quantity of clothing items bearing trademarks of well-known international brands, which had been skillfully counterfeited.

Contrary to the established procedure, which in such cases typically involves the complete destruction of the illicit items by the competent authority, the investigating judge’s office of the Court of Brescia—arguing that the object of criminal protection is only the counterfeit trademark, which can be easily removed or obliterated with suitable means and that, conversely, with the preservation of already produced value and without harm to the treasury, such goods can be usefully allocated to non-profit organizations—ordered that all be handed over to Caritas Bresciana so that, with its own personnel and under the supervision of the seizing judicial police, the marks could be removed and subsequently handed over to those responsible for destroying them.

Donations and protection of counterfeit goods

The operations completed in recent days made available to Caritas clothing items that have been donated to needy individuals through volunteer groups operating in the area.

In a statement, Father Umberto Dell’Aversana, director of the Diocesan Caritas, expressed his thanks to the Guardia di Finanza of Salò and appreciation for the sensitivity of the judicial authorities, which allowed an innovative approach to both respecting the law and safeguarding valuable goods that are promptly allocated to meet basic needs.

Impact of the counterfeiting phenomenon

The phenomenon of trademark counterfeiting—now widespread at all levels—represents, from a commercial perspective, a serious damage to businesses and commercial structures.