UK-IPO Launches Anti-Piracy Business Tool Kit

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

26 January 2009

A new best practice toolkit which gives businesses practical advice on how they can better protect themselves from the dangers of fake goods entering business supply chains has been launched by David Lammy, UK Minister for Intellectual Property.

Developments in technology and communications have led to increases in intellectual property (IP) crime (counterfeiting and piracy) over the past decade – costing around GBP146bn (USD200bn) per year – creating one of the biggest problems for businesses of all kinds around the world.

The Supply Chain Toolkit has been produced by the UK Intellectual Property Office's (UK-IPO) IP Crime Group. It includes a step by step approach on what action should be taken if counterfeits are found within the supply chain and guidance on how to strengthen and protect IP assets.

Of the new toolkit, Lammy explained:

"IP crime is a serious global issue with tens of billions of pounds worth of counterfeit goods seized across national borders each year."

"With recent research finding that nearly a quarter of all small and medium-sized enterprises were affected by counterfeiting, this toolkit offers practical advice to businesses to help them better protect themselves from IP crime, especially during these already challenging times."

IP crime has spread from small industries producing poor-quality, counterfeit fashion accessories and goods to massive manufacturing plants that can produce cheap copies of everything from electrical appliances to medicines. Often these cheap copies can be very dangerous.

The Rogers Review of National enforcement priorities for local authority regulatory services (2007) stated that intellectual property crime is worth GBP1.3bn in the UK with GBP900m of this flowing to organized crime.

Many businesses rely on goods received through supply chains, often from many different suppliers, and are therefore at risk from counterfeiting and piracy unless effective systems and agreements are put in place to tackle this problem.

Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute commented:

"TSI is in the unique position of being both an SME and the body representing UK trading standards professionals. We see the real harm done by IP crime both as a creative and equitable business but also through the front line eyes of our members. The Supply Chain Toolkit is an excellent initiative in helping businesses be aware of and combat the risk of piracy. SMEs face genuine challenges at this time of economic stress and the toolkit is of real and timely support."

In addition to this, Roger Rogowski of the UK Electronics Alliance remarked:

"Counterfeit electronic components are entering the UK market in huge numbers, costing the economy an estimated GBP1bn a year. However, the consequences of system down-time or even critical system failure resulting from the use of counterfeit components in safety critical applications, such as public transport systems, are potentially catastrophic. This toolkit will greatly assist our industry in highlighting the importance of having systems in place to tackle this growing problem effectively."

Commenting further, Mike Cherry, Home Affairs Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:

"The FSB is pleased that the Intellectual Property Office is highlighting the issue of IP crime with guidelines to help businesses, particularly during these difficult economic times when costs are tight and the potential impact could be huge."

Lastly, Aisling Burnand, Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association concluded:

"Any organization relying on IP to protect its business should be mindful of the potential threats posed by counterfeiting. These risks can be reduced and the possibility of taking effective action can be enhanced by putting in place appropriate procedures and agreements as highlighted by the IP Crime Group's Supply Chain Toolkit."

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