Online copying, counterfeits and piracy issues? 

ACID is about to launch a Brand Enforcement service. Why? Because, increasingly, discovery of online copies and knock offs is overtaking discovery of copies at the traditional first point of market entry; the exhibition venue. It is very complex to deal with these issues when there are so many online platforms, with different rules and different levels of criteria for take-down and track down, so a new ACID Brand Enforcement service aims to help.
 
Under discussion, between ACID and Alibaba, is the use of the ACID Marketplace platform to access the images of your 3D products together with a simple ACID copyright statement of ownership. In this way, one can have a direct URL which will provide copyright evidence of ownership of the image of your 2D or 3D products. Like any IP ownership, this can be challenged but it is an excellent starting point. A draft Code of Conduct has been created in conjunction with the UK Government and the Alliance for Intellectual Property between Google, Bing, Yahoo and preliminary talks have also begun with Alibaba to progress this as an industry standard of IP compliance and respect.
 
We would be grateful for your feedback by completing the survey below on the proposed ACID Brand Enforcement service, which will be delivered by partners SnapDragon IP.  View recent ACID Member case studies for information on successful take downs.
 
 
Case studies:
Po Shun Leong
Microslat
 

Question Title

* 1. Please provide your name & company name

Question Title

* 2. Do you have a proactive IP strategy in place and/or dedicated person in your organisation responsible for IP?

Question Title

* 3. Do you have registered IP (trademarks, design rights, patents) through the UKIPO, or in other territories?

Question Title

* 4. Are you currently monitoring the online marketplaces for potential infringement of your (registered IP) trademarks, design rights, patents or (unregistered IP) copyright and unregistered rights?

Question Title

* 5. Have you ever come across potential infringement of your trademarks, design rights, patents or copyright and unregistered rights on any online marketplaces?

Question Title

* 6. If you have answered Yes to Question 3; what has been your approach?

Question Title

* 7. Would you like to learn more about brand protection?

Question Title

* 8. The monitoring service delivers monthly reports listing all potential infringements of your registered IP found on the world's top online marketplaces. Which one of the following would you use?

Question Title

* 9. In addition to the above services (listing potential infringements of you registered IP on online marketplaces), we will be offering a fully managed take-down service which ensures the removal of the infringing links? 

Question Title

* 10. Would you be willing to pay for a one-off reporting and removal service for infringing links found on online marketplaces? Please note this is not a legal process, but would prove your Registered IP Rights using the official reporting procedures in the appropriate language. Up to five links on one site would be removed, on one marketplace, for this one-off fee of £420.

T