Palika Bazaar, Heera Panna, Tank Road on US notorious markets list; traders object

For India’s physical markets, the USTR has listed markets in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

 New Delhi: The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has released the findings of its 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (the Notorious Markets List), which highlights online and physical markets that reportedly engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy.

For India’s physical markets, the USTR has listed markets in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

A major indoor market located at the heart of Mumbai, Heera Panna reportedly offers counterfeit watches, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics. Right holders warn that counterfeit cosmetics sold at this market have health and safety risks.

A raid at Heera Panna in September 2021 resulted in arrests for selling counterfeit versions of premium watches, the USTR said.

Kidderpore, Kolkata locally known as "Fancy Market", allegedly sells counterfeit apparel and cosmetics, often in wholesale quantities. Severe skin problems, rashes, irritation, and eye diseases have reportedly been caused due to the poor quality of the counterfeits.