UK Businesses Unprepared For IP-Related Crimes

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

18 December 2008

New research commissioned by the UK Intellectual Property Office's IP (UK-IPO) Crime Group has revealed that many businesses are not doing anything to ensure they protect their intellectual property.

This news was revealed despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of businesses in the UK understand the need to protect intellectual property.

The research showed that:

• 40% of businesses surveyed took no practical action such as trade mark registration or employee training to ensure their and others' IP is protected.
• A third of businesses surveyed were not aware whether goods sold on their premises by external traders were legitimate or not.
• Out of those who knew that employees were selling DVDs at work, nearly a fifth knew that these were counterfeit and still allowed such illegal activity to take place.
• Similarly, over a quarter of respondents do not make staff aware that they must not download illegal content at work.

The research also uncovered a worrying trend amongst managers to pass on responsibility in this area. Nearly 30% of those who said they wouldn't prevent employees/colleagues from buying counterfeit goods at work took no action because they said it was not their responsibility to do so.

Commenting, Deputy Chief Constable Giles York, Chair of the IP Crime Group and Association of Chief Police Officers Lead Officer for IP Crime said:

"It is clear from this survey that many directors and managers are unaware of the damaging effect IP theft can have on their companies and themselves personally. Companies are aware of their duty to abide by other laws while at work for example, Health and Safety. We need to raise concern to approach to IP law with the same stringency."

Additionally, Director of Copyright and IP Enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, Ed Quilty commented:

"Intellectual property is central to the UK economy and therefore businesses of all sizes cannot afford to be complacent in respecting its value – ensuring effective measures are in place to prevent workplace IP crime are an important part of this. I am pleased that the IP Crime Group will take a leading role in highlighting this problem."

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