Shared Intelligence Is Key To Combating IP Crime, UK-IPO States

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

29 June 2009

The Intellectual Property Crime Group 2008/2009 IP Crime Report, published on June 25 by David Lammy, the UK's Minister of State for Intellectual Property, has highlighted intelligence sharing as being one of the most effective and sustainable ways of tackling IP crime.

To facilitate a coordinated approach and the sharing of information to help address IP Crime, the Intellectual Property Office launched an IP crime strategy in 2004.

This included the establishment of the IP Crime Group and outlined the development of an Intellectual Property Office-led intelligence hub, working with those agencies leading the way in targeting those involved with IP crime.

The hub has received more than 2,000 intelligence reports since the beginning of 2009; a 120% increase in the same period for 2008. This vast increase is attributed to the renewed partnerships that have been made with enforcement agencies such as the police and trading standards.

Commenting on the report Mr Lammy said:

“This report makes it makes clear that IP crime affects us all. It attacks the prosperity of our businesses and communities. It is economic and cultural vandalism that undermines our creators’ and innovators’ efforts."

“The UK is not alone in the fight. IP crime is a serious global issue. The OECD estimates that the global trade in counterfeit and pirated products seized across national borders is worth around USD200bn (GBP121bn) – higher than the GDP of 150 countries. This figure continues to increase and doesn’t even include goods produced and consumed domestically.”

The Intellectual Property Office has also recently been awarded competent authority status which enables increased collaboration and intelligence sharing with enforcement agencies in different countries via Europol which will enable IP crime to be tackled further.

However, although progress has been made in combating some of the serious issues of IP Crime, it still poses a serious threat to businesses and consumers. The Rogers Review estimated that criminal gain from IP crime in the UK was GBP1.3bn in (USD2.1bn) 2006 with GBP900m (USD1.4bn) of this flowing to organized crime. Many believe that today the actual figure is far higher.

Giles York, Deputy Chief Constable of Sussex Police and Chair of the IP Crime Group commented:

“This latest report clearly shows that IP crime represents a significant threat to UK businesses and consumers. I am seeing more and more cases where organized criminals are becoming involved in IP crime where the profits fund other serious criminal activities."

“An Inter ministerial Group on IP Enforcement has also been created by Minister David Lammy to target public awareness and make enforcement more effective; all of this will complement the IP Crime Group’s innovative work."

“Our IP Crime Group contains a broad range of experience and expertise, and the value of harnessing this into collaborative action cannot be overstated. It is up to all of us to sustain and build on this action, particularly during times of economic uncertainty, to ensure the UK is closed for the business of IP crime,” he added.

The IP Crime Group, which was created in 2004 as a result of the IP Crime Strategy, brought together all the key players in order to set priorities and coordinate activity.

The current Group brings together representatives from government, industry and enforcement agencies. The aim of the IP Crime group is to discuss cross-cutting policy issues, raise awareness of IP crime and identify and disseminate best practice.

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