The Federation against Copyright Theft (FACT), the film, TV and sports intellectual property protection body, is expanding its intellectual property protection services outside the audio-visual industry.
Established for over 33 years, FACT says recent changes have created new opportunities for the organisation and now FACT’s expertise and technical knowledge are being extended to brands and businesses requiring support in protecting their content, brand and intellectual property. Offering content and brand protection to protect digital content and physical goods, FACT’s services include; intelligence collation and analysis, forensic examinations, and a dedicated internet investigation and scanning service.
With increased broadband speeds and a demand for all things online, technology is evolving. FACT points out that criminals are taking advantage of this to steal copyrighted content and to sell counterfeit goods, making revenue for themselves and depriving legitimate businesses of revenue.
FACT recently secured close to £1m to go back into the ‘public purse’ after a confiscation hearing. Two men were ordered to pay back £992,947.60 by January 2017 or each face up to seven more years behind bars for their illegal Premier League broadcasts scam.
FACT Director General, Kieron Sharp, said: “Over the years FACT has built a reputation as experts in intellectual property protection who you can value and trust, but until now our services have been available only to film, TV and sport. Now we are able to offer our expertise to brands and businesses looking for that extra support when it comes to protecting their products and content.”
And FACT Chairman, Mike Barley, said: “We are about to embark on a new and exciting chapter for FACT which offers great opportunities to intellectual property rights holders both in the UK and overseas. FACT is valued and trusted by industry, government and law enforcement and its history of success is testament to its expertise and experience.”
