Why are counterfeit watches and clocks illegal?

Each JCWA member watch/clock manufacturer devotes its money and time to produce genuine watches and clocks. These genuine watches and clocks are uniquely designed (protected by design rights), manufactured with new ideas or devices (protected by patent or utility model rights), or carry brand names (protected by trademark rights). Such patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights and copyrights comprise intellectual property rights.

Counterfeit watches and clocks appropriate intellectual property rights such as trademark rights or design rights without permission. This means infringing on others' legal right, and is regarded as a criminal act in a similar manner as theft. This is why counterfeit watches and clocks are illegal.

Intellectual property rights include patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights, and copyrights
(explanations in the figure below are based on Japan's intellectual property rights system).