Press Conference

October 22, 2014, Berlin. The MEISTERKREIS has begun the fight against counterfeiting. With a nationwide information campaign (media volume of more than €500,000), this association of cultural and creative world-class companies is campaigning for a change in attitude in the consumers. The background: More and more, consumers are calling for counterfeit products – with no remorse whatsoever. “Counterfeit products endanger the ability for companies to remain innovative, they endanger jobs and even the health and the life of the consumers – if for‎ example medicine is counterfeited,” stated Brigitte Zypries, parliamentary state secretary with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, during the presentation of the new campaign at the premises of the Federal Press Conference in Berlin. In her keynote speech, she emphasized the importance of the original and the value of the creative achievement for the economic development. She continued: “The protection of creative work is of exceptional importance – especially for the German economy and its export strength which is based on high quality standards.” “Our campaign will initiate a broad debate on the protection of intellectual property and the appreciation of creative achievement,” said MEISTERKREIS Chairman Clemens Pflanz. The innovative campaign is the perfect tool to achieve this and was developed by the MEISTERKREIS together with the agency thjnk. Starting October 23, the campaign will spread information on the economic, cultural and overall social effects of undervaluing creative values though the purchase of counterfeit products.