06 June 2019
Today is World Anti-Counterfeiting Day and the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has released a series of updated information on the global scope and scale of counterfeiting and piracy.
In this new “status report” EUIPO presents a ”harrowing and disturbing ” picture of how intellectual property (IP) crime has taken an international hold and is feeding organised crime with enormous amounts of uncontrolled cash, which is driving worldwide criminality.
As this happens, businesses and governments are being starved of finances, which could be re-invested to create legitimate jobs and support vital public services. Moreover, consumers are under greater threat than ever from a growing rise in fakes that threaten health and lives.
EUIPO reports that not only has the internet been infiltrated and used to sell and distribute fake products and digital copies, but criminals are gaining even more revenue through illicit advertising, which often competes with legitimate businesses.
A number of joint research studies involving the EUIPO’s Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and the OECD have confirmed that the international trade in fake products is now worth 121 billion Euros per year. In addition, 11 of the EU’s top business sectors suffer annual losses of more than 60 Euros billion, leading to 468,000 job losses.
However, through the Observatory and its international associates, EUIPO is fighting back. Working closely with public and private sector partners, such as the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), more and more telling information is being fed to enforcement bodies and other Government authorities to help build a clearer picture of the IP crime landscape. In turn this is helping to more clearly inform consumers and focus essential enforcement resources. Moreover, EUIPO is now funding a specialised crime unit within Europol to help tackle the problem on the ground.
In the UK, ACG is using the widest range of available intelligence and information to, not only drive more effective enforcement partnerships, but to build more compelling narratives to help educate consumers and raise even greater levels of awareness amongst policy makers and decision takers about the growing and menacing threats associated with IP crime.
See the report in full 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.