Intellectual Property

The globalisation of finance, industry and trade has inevitably led to all kinds of criminality, including intellectual property (IP) theft. This criminality occurs on a global scale, therefore it has never been more important to protect IP rights and achieve effective enforcement on a worldwide basis. There are three main areas of concern affecting businesses which SSR®, through Executive Partners and their comprehensive expertise in this field, is in a position to supply the necessary resources and skills to help combat: Consumer Health & Safety The important trust the public has in your brand does not apply to fakes, which are low-calibre goods, with no comeback when they fall apart. More seriously, over the last five years, there has been an increase in the number and nature of fake goods on the market. The public is now at risk from untested, poor quality fake goods of all kinds, which are purchased every day, including food and drink, children's toys and clothing, power tools, mobile phones and appliance batteries, health, beauty and fashion products. Economic Impact There is an enormous cost worldwide in lost revenues, damage to legitimate businesses and effect on employment. It has been estimated that profits from counterfeiting annually are equivalent to the total spend worldwide on tourism. The World Customs Organisation estimated in 2004, based on that year's seizures, that the trade in fakes is currently worth about $512 billion, or 7 per cent of the world's trade. Links to Other Serious Organised Crime Intellectual property theft - which steals creative and business ideas - is now recognised by HM Government as a serious organised crime. The ringleaders of this illegal trade in fakes launder their huge profits to fund all kinds of other crimes on a global scale, including drugs, guns, people-smuggling - and even terrorism. The Swiss are beginning to crack down on terrorist financing, which is so often laundered via secret bank accounts, and to identify and dismantle terrorist networks. Interpol has reported to the US Government, and to Brussels, that it has evidence of clear links between counterfeiting and terrorist cells in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. SSR® Executive Partners, through our framework of “trusted professionals”, can provide comprehensive and cost effective solutions to all levels of IP issues drawn from our wealth of experience.