Counterfeit conference held in Brussels

Updated 15.44 Mon Mar 10 2008

A conference on counterfeit goods has been held in Brussels.

European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso gave the opening address to participants, including supermodel Yasmin Le Bon and Tim Trainer, one of the founders of the Authentics Foundation.

On display at the conference were a variety of well known brand name goods, which included goods from everyday consumables to luxury watches and pens, and even a fake Ferrari, made in Thailand

Mr Barroso said the manufacture of fake goods had far-ranging detrimental effects.

On display at the conference were a variety of well known brand name goods, which included goods from everyday consumables to luxury watches and pens, and even a fake Ferrari, made in Thailand.

Mrs Le Bon said: "I feel that I should be involved as part of an industry where we are led by designers, luxury brands, music as well.

"I am married to a musician. I think this all maybe started with DVDs and music being pirated and it's just exploded basically into something quite different."

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