Winter 2025 - 42

THE GCA DESK
The Scourge
of
Counterfeit Cards
The widespread practice of stealing card designs is
incredibly problematic for GCA members - and the
entire community
Sierra Bretz
Rafe Morrissey
BY SIERRA BRETZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GCA
RAFE MORRISSEY, VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GCA
ecently, a longtime Greeting Card Association (GCA)
member shared that its card designs were being stolen
and sold by more than one foreign online platform at belowmarket
prices. The loss of sales, coupled with the time and
expense of monitoring those sites (which accounted for as
much as 50% of the time of one of their designers!), emerged
as a huge challenge.
In October, the GCA distributed an industrywide survey to
determine the extent of the problem. The results are alarming.
According to the results, nearly two-thirds of respondents
R
reported theft of their card designs - and this was not limited
to solely GCA members, who comprised two-thirds of the group
of respondents. Meanwhile, the negative impact is vast. Of
respondents, 70% reported losses up to $5,000, but in 9% of the
responses, the losses exceeded $100,000. Theft of designs and
sale of counterfeit cards by online platforms is a drag on large
publishers and an existential nightmare for small publishers.
Something must be done to stop it.
The challenge is how to respond. Fortunately, GCA's Public
Affairs Committee is currently evaluating options, which range
from determining what avenues are available under existing
law, to potential changes that would make it easier to go after
thieves. The outcome of the election should provide a viable
path for seeking regulatory and legislative remedies, given the
intense scrutiny of unfair and unethical practices in China.
However, remember the adage that " sunlight is the best
disinfectant. " One of the more effective actions GCA members
can take is to shine a light on what these platforms are doing.
Greeting card consumers are among the most ethical members
of society, with younger consumers placing a great emphasis
on authenticity and sustainability. The strides we are making
among this group can powerfully push back against theft.
42 Winter 2025 | STATIONERY TRENDS
SURVEY RESULTS
102 makers responded to the GCA survey distributed in
fall 2024. The results shed light on this troubling trend.
63% reported having experienced their designs
being illegally reproduced.
44% reported having a card design stolen.
51% attempted to resolve the situation via
communication.
9% reported taking legal action.
36% have not addressed the design theft.
9% have lost over $100,000 due to the issue.
To access the survey, please visit
stationerytrends.com/2024GCASurvey
or scan the QR code.
GCA will continue exploring these avenues in 2025.
Members can expect to receive additional information on
new opportunities to respond to, bring to light and stop these
flagrant abuses in the future. S T
http://www.stationerytrends.com/2024GCASurvey
Winter 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2025
