Anti-counterfeiting strategy launched

The UK's first intellectual property (IP) crime strategy – a blueprint to crackdown on the trade in fake goods – has been launched today.

Piracy and counterfeiting, including DVDs, perfumes, clothing and alcohol, costs the UK economy billions of pounds and undermines the success of many of the UK's best companies. And intellectual property crime cheats consumers, costs jobs and helps fund organised crime, the government has said.

Rights owners have estimated that last year alone counterfeiting and piracy cost the UK economy £10 billion and 4,000 jobs.

The national strategy, developed by the Patent Office, brings together brand owners, police, trading standards and Customs to better co-ordinate the fight against intellectual property crime. The strategy will see agencies share intelligence, improve training and monitor progress and success through an annual national enforcement report.

Industry Minister, Jacqui Smith, warned that intellectual property crime was not victimless.

"As well as cheating consumers, the trade in counterfeit goods costs UK companies billions of pounds and thousands of jobs every year. That is why we are working together with industry and law enforcement agencies to clamp down on this illegal trade," she said.

Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Innovation, said: "Clearly a common purpose is shared by the police, customs, trading standards and many brand owners to co-ordinate their efforts to best effect. This bodes well for our fight against IP crime."

EMI chairman, Eric Nicoli, the music industry representative on the government's recently founded Creative Industries IP Forum, said he was "encouraged" by the government's stance.

(gmcg)