Brand Protection / Intellectual Property

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) investigations and anti-counterfeiting fall within this category.

Many major brands throughout the world have counterfeit problems with the merchandise / products they manufacture, which is very much a growing business and organised crime.

The ABI has a number experienced investigators, with knowledge of IPR law, trained to examine their respective clients’ merchandise. They carry out covert surveillance of the market place and proactive investigations identifying those selling, importing and manufacturing counterfeit goods, working with the authorities or IP Law Firms to carry out enforcement action, criminal / civil court cases.

Dedicated investigators deal with internet / social media and take down numerous bogus web sites and many thousands of online marketplace listings for trade mark and copyright infringements.

In the United Kingdom, these investigators have developed a close relationship with the City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), Trading Standards Service and Customs, they also act as a point of contact for these authorities should they seize counterfeits of our clients’ merchandise, making authentication examinations and providing witness statements.