In its ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the codes and standards development system, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in coordination with law enforcement officials in India, has disrupted a major operation producing and distributing counterfeit NFPA publications.
The enforcement action, including a civil raid carried out in late March in the Delhi region, targeted what NFPA has identified as central players in a counterfeit network responsible for reproducing and selling unauthorized NFPA publications through business-to-business marketplaces and other online channels. This action is part of ongoing litigation and remains pending before the court, where the defendants will have the opportunity to respond to NFPA’s allegations.
“Counterfeit codes and standards are not just an intellectual property issue; they are a huge public safety risk,” said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. “NFPA codes and standards are relied upon by engineers, fire service professionals, electrical professionals, and others who work to protect people and property every day.
“When counterfeit versions enter the market, users may unknowingly end up with incomplete or inaccurate information. That puts trust, safety, and compliance at risk.”
Authorities seized a large volume of printing materials, including approximately 1,000 printing plates, and found evidence that NFPA code books and other materials were being actively produced at the time of the raid.
The case highlights the real-world safety implications posed by counterfeit codes and standards. NFPA has encountered numerous examples of customers who believed they had purchased legitimate publications, only to discover missing pages, poor print quality, and other defects that compromised the integrity and use of the product.
The NFPA says it vigorously protects its intellectual property and the public from counterfeit and unauthorized materials. The raids and seizures in India follow earlier final judgments in the United States against multiple counterfeit operations and related litigation in India, where courts have already issued two preliminary injunction orders in support of NFPA’s claims. NFPA will continue to expand its efforts in combatting counterfeit both in the U.S. and globally.
The Association urges users to purchase publications directly from NFPA or through authorized sources to ensure that they are receiving authentic, complete, and up-to-date materials.
