Authorities in Italy have seized more than 6,500 pieces of furniture in a major operation targeting the illegal reproduction of iconic Italian design products.
The operation, led by the Turin Economic and Financial Police Unit under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor's Office, focused on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit lamps and chairs replicating well-known Italian industrial design models without authorisation.
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Fourteen individuals have been reported for alleged offences including trademark counterfeiting, receiving stolen goods and commercial fraud. Investigators identified a network of companies involved in importing, storing and distributing the goods across several Italian regions, with links to corporate entities in cities including Milan, Rome and Naples.
According to authorities, the counterfeit supply chain was traced back to imports primarily originating from China, before being distributed through both physical retail channels and e-commerce platforms. Searches carried out across multiple regions led to the seizure of thousands of items, many of which closely imitated protected designs registered at European level.
Beyond intellectual property violations, investigators also raised concerns over product safety. A significant portion of the seized lighting products reportedly lacked required EU certification, posing potential risks to consumers.
The operation highlights ongoing challenges facing the European furniture and design sector, where demand for high-end aesthetics has fuelled a parallel market for unauthorised reproductions. Authorities have indicated that further investigations into the wider distribution network are continuing as part of efforts to protect "Made in Italy" design integrity.
Source: www.lastampa.it
