UK speakers are among those at a brand protection summit in New York from September 26 to 28.
They are Peter Harvey, Anti-Counterfeit CBT Director of Beam Global Spirits and Wine; and Koldo Loidi, Corporate Counsel for Avaya, discussing grey marketing in North America and in Europe. Frederick Felman, Chief Marketing Officer of MarkMonitor, a US brand protection company, will cover online counterfeiters and brand rights abuse. <br><br>Topics for the event include countering trademark patent infringements; and enforcing supply chain security, and working with law enforcement to counter the flow of illegal and counterfeit products at borders. As organisers warn, counterfeit sales represent 5 to 7 per cent of world merchandise trade today. The damage these sales do to rightful brand owners goes well beyond revenues and profits: numerous reports have suggested that counterfeit and piracy trade supports terrorism, organized crime and other threats to both national security and human rights. Now, the Internetโs rapid growthโalong with its instant global reach and anonymityโhas significantly escalated the situation.<br><br>An entire online supply chain, parallel to legitimate distribution channels, has flourished around counterfeit goods. Online B2B exchanges, in addition to eCommerce sitesโmany promoted via social media and search enginesโcommonly traffic in counterfeit goods. Fake products acquired on wholesale sites are sold on auction sites, or at flea markets and shops in the physical world.<br><br>Deceptive use of proven marketing techniquesโpaid search ads, search engine optimization, unsolicited email, the use of branded terms in domain names and moreโare important parts of this illicit ecosystem, as savvy counterfeiters apply marketing best practices. Technology exists for identifying and quantifying worldwide online counterfeiting activityโin both promotion and distributionโas it affects a specific brand. Once visible, infringement can be prioritized and attacked. Unlike anti-counterfeiting strategies in the physical world, however, a two-pronged approach is necessary: brand owners must choke off counterfeit sales at both promotional and distribution points, it’s suggested.<br><br>For details of the event run by IQPC, and to download an event brochure visit –
