WHAT IS COUNTERFEIT ART ?
Counterfeit art is the unauthorized copy of a work of art or portion of it, or its exhibition or dissemination by any means whatsoever, as well as any translation, adaptation or transformation, arrangement or reproduction, through an art form or any other procedure. (French Intellectual Property Code)
ART COUNTERFEITING : WHAT ARE THE RISKS ?
Counterfeiting is a crime punishable by 3 years of imprisonment and a 300,000€ fine. This also applies to the sale, import or export of counterfeit or infringing pieces. The sentences are increased to 5 years of imprisonment and 500,000€ in fines if the acts were committed in collusion with an organized gang.
WHAT IS AN ART FRAUD ?
An art fraud is the fact of placing a usurped name on a work of art or of imitating an artist’s signature with the aim of deceiving the buyer and, for a dealer or intermediary, of keeping a work that is signed or labeled in this way, or of putting it up for sale or disseminating it. (French law of February 9, 1895)
ART FRAUD : WHAT ARE THE RISKS ?
Art fraud is a crime punishable by 2 years of imprisonment and 75,000€ in fines, excluding prejudice to damages, if applicable.
WHAT IS CONCEALMENT OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS ?
Counterfeiting is a crime. Concealment is the fact of dissimulating, holding or transmitting counter- feit goods or of acting as an intermediary in transmitting them with the knowledge that the goods are the result of a criminal offense, or the fact of knowingly benefiting in any way from a criminal offense. (French Penal Code)
CONCEALMENT OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS : WHAT ARE THE RISKS ?
Concealment of counterfeit good sis a crime punishable by 5 years of imprisonment and 375,000€ in fines, increased to 10 years of imprisonment and 750,000€ in fines if the concealment is committed in a habitual manner or through the use of facilities attained through a professional business or an organized gang.