As a law firm specializing in intellectual property rights, we have been supporting companies affected by product and trademark piracy for decades. Counterfeits and imitations are no longer a marginal issue – they cause billions in losses every year, weaken innovation, and, in the worst cases, can even endanger consumers.
One particularly effective instrument to publicly confront imitators is the negative award “Plagiarius,” which will be presented for the 50th time in 2026.
The Plagiarius – History & Impact
Since 1977, the non-profit organization Aktion Plagiarius e.V. has been awarding the negative prize “Plagiarius” to manufacturers and retailers of especially blatant product copies.The aim is to publicly expose imitators and send a clear message against product piracy.
The award raises awareness of the economic and legal consequences of plagiarism, strengthens understanding of intellectual property rights, and highlights the value of creative achievements.The public attention also creates a deterrent effect that, in the past, has already led imitators to withdraw their counterfeits from the market—making further legal action unnecessary.
Last year’s award winner was a front and side combination plier produced by a German tool manufacturer, which had been copied by Chinese suppliers and sold via the online platform TEMU.
Competition 2026 – Anniversary & Participation
To mark its 50th anniversary, Aktion Plagiarius e.V. is once again calling for entries to the competition:
- Wanted: The most brazen product imitations
- Submission deadline: October 31, 2025
- Award ceremony: February 6, 2026, as part of the Ambiente Trade Fair in Frankfurt
- Further presentations: At the Museum Plagiarius (Solingen) and at international exhibitions
Application documents and participation requirements: 👉 https://plagiarius.com/index.php?ID=25