The sale of counterfeit goods on marketplaces – Latest AN 8201 Updates for the Business Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (BRAM)

Due to an increasing trend in the sale of counterfeit goods on marketplaces and other online platforms, Mastercard enforces its Anti-Piracy Policy that prohibits the sale of copyright infringing and counterfeit products violating trademarks. Merchant and acquirers are subject to investigations upon violations to Anti-Piracy Policy under the BRAM program. A minimum USD 2,500 assessment may be applicable per each unique URL or item in violation of Mastercard Standards for every acquirer that processes Mastercard transactions for a marketplace.

Therefore, acquirers are advised to implement sufficient controls and monitoring tools to quickly identify and remove listings that feature counterfeit goods – in order to prevent violations to the Anti-Piracy Policy under BRAM. Acquirers must perform adequate due diligence prior to onboarding and on an ongoing basis of its merchant websites and marketplaces, to safeguard the integrity of the payment ecosystem.

Source: AN 8201 Updates for the Business Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program 15 August 2023