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Counterfeiting and Trade Mark Infringements

“Counterfeit products account for 5-7% of world trade. Counterfeiting has destroyed an estimated 120,000 jobs in the US and 100,000 in Europe each year over the past ten years.” (Source: ICC.)

"Interpol recently sounded the alarm that International Intellectual Property Crime (IPC) has a heavy association with organised crime but is now becoming the preferred method of funding for a number of terrorist groups”. (Source: Ronald K Noble, Secretary General of Interpol.)

The harm that counterfeit products and trademark infringements can do to a business is often immeasurable. Companies need to take a robust approach in dealing with this problem in order to reduce the risk to the business. It cannot be done alone and we suggest that a good outsourced investigation firm can make a major difference.

If you are looking at this web page, then you are probably already in the business of protecting your company from this type of fraud and you will be well aware of the implications and, hopefully, you are looking for a good firm of investigators as your prime support service or to complement your in-house team.

Whilst offering a few tips below about working with investigators, we operate a closed section on the site (accessed below) to provide you with more detailed information and what we can do for you. It’s closed to protect our commercial advantage but, naturally, we will be happy to share the information with potential clients. Please call our office for the password, which we will be happy to give you. +44 (0)1508 518619.

Why use External Investigators?

Business Risk Reduction. Using your own staff (unless a specialist in the field of investigations) can have serious implications in relation to employment laws, staff contracts, insurance cover for staff, health and safety (ie putting staff in a dangerous position). Imagine the implications, heavens forbid, if they are killed, seriously injured or held hostage. (The New York mafia a few years ago murdered an investigator from Chester looking into a ship full of counterfeit cigarettes that they ‘owned’). It is well documented that counterfeit goods are the preferred option for organised crime syndicates, it’s easy to launder the proceeds and they know most law enforcement bodies are not interested in this form of crime.

Reputational Risk Reduction. If we get it wrong you can deny responsibility saying we have operated outside our remit and that you have now dispensed with the investigator’s services.

Choosing Investigators. What exactly should you expect from a good investigation team? The first hurdle you need to negotiate is actually how to choose an investigation team. You also need to establish the normal business checks when retaining any company, e.g. reputation, resources, experience etc, but finally you should ask ‘what is the investigative methodology you use’. Do not be afraid to ask. After all, you are paying the bill but, more importantly, their approach and work product will affect your results and ultimately your reputation.

Important Notice: We have recently secured access (the only UK company to do so) to an international, “closed user” IP database located in China. It contains known IP violators and also includes the Chinese Customs IP violators database.

Here’s what we bring to the table (to access this section please call our office for the password, which we will be happy to give you. +44 (0)1508 518619 )