08 April 2020
As businesses struggle under the pressure of the current coronavirus emergency, they more than ever need their brand protection workforces to help protect consumers and their company’s vital assets.
Criminal counterfeiters are in manufacturing overdrive and as we publish the ACG Annual Report 2019 Director General for the Anti-Counterfeiting Group calls on business to be ready to meet the challenge.
Phil Lewis, Director General at the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) today warned that criminals will be working overtime to manufacture and stockpile counterfeits, in readiness to market and sell their goods, once the current health crisis is over. Fears are that we will be facing an even wider range of substandard and dangerous fakes. He called on businesses to ensure they keep brand protection experts in play, to meet this impending threat.
On the day of the publication of the 2019 Annual Report for ACG, Phil explained: “As the counterfeiters’ are working hard to profit from the coronavirus pandemic, they will also be planning for the future. We need to be prepared and ahead of the game. It is vital to have experts on the ground, who can put plans in place to tackle criminal networks in the UK, but also understand the situation, systems and laws in countries where most of the counterfeits come from, such as China, Turkey and India.
“Our Annual Report shows what brands can do when working in collaboration with ACG and enforcers. Together we are making a difference by tackling high level counterfeiting and preventing distribution on the ground and online, whilst advising governments and working in partnership to warn consumers about the growing risks of buying fake product.
“Shelving brand protection, now, simply hands the advantage to the criminals. We must be seen to play our part, otherwise we could easily send the wrong message to Government and enforcement.”
The ACG Annual Report highlights the main areas of work for ACG over the last twelve months involving lobbying, enforcing and raising awareness and can be downloaded from the Publications area on the website or view it here
ACG represents more than 3,000 brands affected by this influx of fakes into the UK and delivers an international network of information, advice and contacts on all aspects of IP protection. Working with Government and law enforcement agencies since 1980, ACG is focused on providing an effective and sustained response to counterfeiting.
Membership with the ACG is the best way to work with government and enforcement bodies to protect your brand. Our Roadshows and training days help you reach out to police, trading standards and border force officers and tell them about your genuine products.