Counterfeiting in Italian Regions: An Empirical Analysis based on new data

The aim of this paper is to analyse the counterfeiting process in the Italian regions during 2006-2010 years, applying panel data methodologies to monthly not public data provided by GdF. After having derived the Forte and Mantovani Counter-feiting Index (FMIC) – which is equal to the ratio between total confiscations and operations –, empirical findings show that homogeneous clusters of regions could be obtained, due to economic and geographical reasons. Moreover, panel data es-timators test a new simple model on the determinants of counterfeiting diffusion. It was found that household and PA expenditure, indirect taxation, foreign-ers/population ratio and the number of ports have a positive impact on our coun-terfeiting diffusion index (FMIDC)