A fresh approach to counterfeiting
19 May 2009
Peter Ollier, Seattle
Whether battling counterfeiters online or in street markets, a proactive and targeted strategy is necessary. Peter Ollier looks at what tactics trademark owners are adopting.
While the representatives of the developed world argue behind closed doors about the small print of ACTA—the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement that will provide a new weapon in the fight against fakes—trademark owners still have to deal with the daily headache of counterfeit goods being sold in greater numbers and in more places than ever before.
Reliable data on the worldwide sale of fakes is hard to come by, but all surveys agree that the problem is increasing, and that, especially in the middle of a financial crisis, counterfeiting is a cost that companies could do without. The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition estimates that the trade in fakes costs U.S. businesses between $200 billion and $250 billion annually. Getting the message through to consumers that buying fakes is wrong is a long-term goal, but in the short term companies need to find a way to move counterfeiting...
Only subscribers have complete access to Managing IP Magazine,
log in or
subscribe now.
Alternatively take a
free trial, giving you 48-hour access to Managing IP Magazine (some articles and surveys may be excluded).
Subscribe Now
This article is available to subscribers. Please click subscribe to read the rest of the article.
Subscribe
Take a free trial
Please take a free 48-hour trial to gain limited access. Some articles and surveys may be excluded.
Take a free trial