Counterfeiting
of commercial products has become an international problem.
Once
again, counterfeiting is on the rise. One reason for this is the ease and speed
with which large quantities of counterfeit product can be produced with modern
photographic and printing equipment.
IACS is prepared to assist the intellectual property community
with their investigative needs. We can help you bring counterfeiters to justice.
We provide timely, discreet, and professional investigative and/or consulting
services to our clients.
The IACS team has worked with manufacturers,
wholesalers, pharmacies, consumer groups, technology specialists, and others to
advance the progress being made in these four areas.
The four main
types of IP are:
patents
for inventions - new and improved products and processes that are capable of industrial
application
trademarks
for brand identity - of goods and services allowing distinctions to be made between
different traders and manufacturers
designs
for product appearance - of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the
features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials
of the product itself or its ornamentation;
copyright
for material - literary and artistic material, music, films, sound recordings
and broadcasts, including software and multimedia
It
is critical to implement new technologies to better protect Intellectual Property.
Product authentication technologies can be used to provide a greater level of
security for products. These technologies are intended to secure the product,
packaging, and movement of the product as it travels
IACS provides investigations
of counterfeit goods and piracy activities, including undercover investigations
and 'sting' operations to identify manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and
others involved in various civil violations and criminal activities.
Billions of dollars worth of counterfeit merchandise is being produced in numerous
countries around the world. Legitimate businesses lose countless sums to retailers
who knowingly and unknowingly sell counterfeit goods.
While China is
known to be the largest producer of counterfeit goods, there are many other nations
with factories specializing in producing cheap counterfeit goods. Only a very
small percentage of these counterfeit goods are caught before they reach the marketplace.
IACS Investigations is capable of handling every facet of a counterfeit-goods
investigation from identification of the counterfeit goods through the seizure
and prosecution phases. Co-operation and co-ordination with law enforcement agencies
and/or civil attorneys is available, if desired by the client.
IACS is
both experienced and effective in the investigation of intellectual property violations.
Our investigators conduct undercover field activity to identify product counterfeiting
operations, and other unauthorized activities at the manufacturing, distribution,
and retail levels. Investigators will ascertain the identification, background
and associations of violators as well as their sources and method of operation.
IACS is fully experienced and familiar with all aspects of intellectual property
rights enforcement and maintains extensive contacts in Asia, Latin America, United
Kingdom and the United States in both the public and private sectors.
IACS has been conducting intellectual property investigations for several years.
As a result of our investigations several million dollars' worth of counterfeit
merchandise has been seized, along with millions of dollars in manufacturing equipment.
IACS has played an instrumental part in the arrest of counterfeiters. We
pride ourselves on the reputation we have earned with members of the law enforcement
agencies. IACS maintains a fully operational pretext business to conduct counterfeiting
and gray market investigations. Our undercover business includes a physical business
location, phone lines, fax line, and an internet address.
We realize
that the problem of counterfeiting is a fairly new experience for several trademark
owners. Let our experience serve to educate and inform you. Our related services
include:
Service
of "Cease and Desist" Orders and obtain voluntary surrender of Counterfeit
Merchandise
