Once a world leader in anti-counterfeiting measures, the UK is slipping behind its US and European counterparts, according to experts.

Unfortunately, IP crime is on the rise, particularly during these unprecedented times. A 2019 report found that the trade of counterfeit goods around the world now generates income of $509 billion annually. In Europe, around 7% of goods have been found to be counterfeit, which equates to approximately €121 billion in counterfeit goods per year. In the UK alone, IP crime is thought to cost the economy over £9 billion in lost revenue each year, which equates to £4 billion per year in unpaid taxes and causes the loss of almost 60,000 jobs. Concerningly, customs determined that 37% of the counterfeit goods it obtained at EU borders were dangerous and harmful to consumers.

Cigarettes and tobacco were the most reported counterfeit goods in the UK in 2019/20, according to local authority data reported by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and IP Crime Office.

The evidence gained by the authority’s trading standards team will be used to pursue Closure Orders on shops known to be involved in the supply of illegal tobacco

Students receiving their GCSEs tomorrow are being warned not to share images of their exam certificates online.

On Thursday 30 July 2020, police executed a warrant at a property in the Leigh area of Wigan. A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud and copyright under the Designs and Patents Act 1988. He has since been released under investigation. 

Businesses need a robust brand protection strategy to address the heightened risk of counterfeiting that has arisen during the coronavirus crisis, experts at international law firm Pinsent Masons have said.

US business groups are urging social networking platforms to do more to prevent fraudulent advertising and counterfeits

The Crown Prosecution Service has warned the public to beware of fraudsters exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic after a man was today jailed for 30 weeks for offering fake Government refunds.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/london-south/news/warns-dont-get-caught-covid-fraud

Congratulations to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), which has been granted two awards at this year’s Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) ‘Awards for Excellence’.