Counterfeiting, as one of the most rapidly expanding economic crimes, poses a global threat to IP owners and their ability to capitalise on their investment.
Aside from lost revenue, counterfeiting can erode consumer confidence and, in the worst cases, can pose risks to the health and safety of consumers.
We can devise cost-effective anti-counterfeiting strategies, tailored to your requirements, which are designed to catch counterfeits at the UK and EU borders and combat perpetrators within the market. Together with a network of trusted associates, we can support you in the war against counterfeiting across the whole of the EU (including the UK) and beyond.
Registration of IP rights
We offer the full range of filing and prosecution services, obtaining national and European Union trade mark registrations and Community design registrations, as well as patents in all relevant jurisdictions and across all technical fields.
Customs detentions
We can register your intellectual property rights with Customs authorities in the UK as well as in Germany and Ireland in the EU. This empowers Customs authorities to detain suspected counterfeit goods from entering the EU and/or the UK. We work together with Customs authorities in the UK and around the EU, either directly or via trusted overseas associates, to oversee each detention from initial notification through to destruction (where appropriate). We can also work with you to create brand protection guides, arrange for training of Customs officials, and utilise the EUIPO Enforcement Database.
Out in the field
Our anti-counterfeiting team visits Customs officers and other agencies in person where necessary, especially to support complex or large-scale operations.
Trading standards and police
We work with Trading Standards and the Police across the UK to target internally traded counterfeit goods and assist the authorities in relation to specific investigations. We advise and act on obtaining interim relief, including search and seizure orders. We also issue witness statements for use as evidence in criminal prosecutions. In conjunction with overseas associates, we also coordinate similar actions involving enforcement agencies within the EU.
Civil and criminal litigation and private prosecutions
Our team of solicitors will seek to maximise your legal remedies, including pursuing court proceedings where necessary. We bring vast litigation experience across a variety of industries affected by counterfeiting, including the apparel, electronics, FMCG and luxury goods sectors.
Our litigation servicesInternet services
We can arrange for watching services and online surveillance and investigations, including taking action against infringing domain names and take-downs relating to websites selling counterfeit goods (liaising with the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) where appropriate). We also liaise with private investigators to make suitable test purchases of suspected infringing goods and can assist with filing take down notices on e-commerce sites and other intermediary platforms to tackle such sales.
Your records
We can arrange a reporting mechanism that suits you, to keep you updated on anti-counterfeiting activity affecting your business, when and how you need it.
Useful resources
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Case Study
Anti-Counterfeiting
We coordinated a pan-European anti-counterfeiting strategy for a client based in the US. This included overseeing all Customs seizures across the EU and coordinating with the police and other law enforcement authorities. Over 250,000 counterfeit goods were seized across the EU in one year.
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Case Study
Online enforcement
We were successful in obtaining the removal of various upcycled/re-purposed handbags which infringed our client’s rights.
