YOUR TRADEMARK IS AT RISK OF BEING COUNTERFEITED

Today, trademarks are at risk of being counterfeited more than ever before. This presents a major problem to trademark security. More and more criminals are making use of the advantage that is being presented by the enormous tax-free profits, the limited risk of being caught, and, if convicted, the minimal penalties they receive.

Well-financed global networks of criminal mafia are taking the lead in funding high-tech manufacturing networks that are involved in counterfeiting and crimes on the black market. The down side is that law enforcement does not have the necessary time, equipment and training to track down and curb counterfeiters.

All over the world, dark alleys of cities are littered with criminals selling the latest designer product for a quarter or less of the original retail price. This is often quite apparent. For instance, a $15.00 price tag on a Rolex watch or $10.00 on Jordan’s sneakers is quite unrealistic and the product is almost certainly fake. However, this is not so easy to detect in some cases. What makes counterfeiting so popular? There are a number of reasons that may explain this as follows:

• The presence of highly skilled graphic designers who are ready to create duplicate copies of logos and models made by famous designers.
• The continued availability on the market of cheap, unmonitored workers engaged in counterfeiting products of substandard quality in third world countries.
• Consumers who do not take time to look for the information about a particular product they would like to purchase but, instead, simply buy an inferior product thinking they’re getting the real deal.
• Some consumers prefer to continue buying counterfeited goods, even when they know that the products are fake.
• Some high-end stores and boutiques may display counterfeited goods. This obviously creates an authenticity complex, and prospective buyers are left wondering whether the product is actually genuine or fake.
• A company’s employees may decide to sell the company’s emblems and logo designs to counterfeiters on the black market, which are then placed on sub-quality goods.

The hindering factor to successfully deal with counterfeiting on a universal, global basis once and for all is that many people think that there is nothing inherently damaging or wrong with counterfeiting. People choose look the other way when purchasing counterfeited good and pretend to act as if all is well. The important thing they fail to realize is that using counterfeited goods can sometimes be a matter of life and death. Rather than simply buying a counterfeited T-shirt bearing the name of an impressive designer, one can actually end up buying counterfeited heart medication, which might be lethal.

Theft of intellectual property and loss of trade secrets can cost a company billions of dollars in lost revenue or market share, and may also damage the company’s competitive advantage over similar businesses. While many consumers and users think it is harmless, the effects of counterfeiting run much deeper than merely faking a brand or a product.

Counterfeiting can also refer to the illegal production of duplicate medical supplies or medicine. Purchasing a fake “Rolex” watch from some unknown salesman off the streets is entirely different from purchasing a heart medication from one of these criminals in the anticipation of receiving full medical treatment and may ultimately lead to irreversible consequences on an individual’s health and well-being. The effects of counterfeiting your company’s reputation could be enormous. Again, think of the case when someone was harmed after using a product with your company’s name or brand printed on the label? Informing the buyer later that they used a counterfeited product will not help. The blame would have already been placed on you as the authentic supplier, and you are the one who has to suffer the damages from the media frenzy that follows.

METHODS OF CURBING COUNTERFEITING

Are you interested in learning how you can curb counterfeiting and stop your product or brand from being duplicated and misrepresented? Our team possesses a wealth of information on the counterfeiting underworld; we work closely with law enforcement, and are able to find the evidence required for judicial prosecutions to help your company in its quest to deal with counterfeiting once and for all. Many companies have benefited from our professional assistance in enforcing their rights in both civil and criminal cases. We have indeed become a world-leader in anti-counterfeiting investigations.

At Digital Forensics Corporation, we are well aware of all of the ways in which criminals can counterfeit goods, right from the unknown “dealer” in the dark alley to high-end professional criminals in offices. We have a team of undercover private detectives who have been tracking small dealers to their bigger suppliers for many years now, and are well versed in all the practical details. We own proprietary databases with up-to-date information about the current counterfeiting dealers, their contact details and their common business networks. Over the years, we have done hundreds of ex-parte seizures and successfully assisted law enforcement in securing search warrants and arresting suspected dealers.

Contact Digital Forensics Corporation now. We will protect you from any type of unscrupulous counterfeiters who would like to profit from illegally duplicating your authentic brand.