This book aims to identify analyze and systematize the available research on counterfeiting
and piracy published over a thirty-five year time span (1980-2015) in order to highlight the
main trends in the illicit trade literature propose suggestions for managers battling against
illicit trade and provide a starting point for future research. Counterfeiting and piracy
i.e. the violation of intellectual property rights (IPRs) including trademarks copyright
and patents have been investigated across a multitude of fields from ethics to marketing
from law to business from criminology to psychology. While the number of contributions has
been substantial research on both demand and supply has been fragmented and has at times
yielded contradictory results. In addition the lack of an extensive interdisciplinary and
up-to-date literature review has made it hard to fully understand what aspects of the
phenomenon need further clarification in order to stem consumer demand and provide meaningful
suggestions to companies combatting illicit trade daily. A systematization of the existing
literature is absolutely paramount and this need is fully met by this book.
