Letter from the IPO
“We cannot do this alone”
Tim Moss tells us why collaboration is key in the IPO’s new counter‑infringement strategy
The power of brands in adding value to our economy is beyond doubt. But the infringement of IP rights is a significant threat to this value.
IP crime and infringement undermine the confidence IP rights give to businesses and investors, damage the economy and can have grave consequences for consumer safety.
In February, we published our ambitious new counter‑infringement strategy. This sets out how we will work in partnership to deal with these threats and represents a step‑change in our ambition to protect IP rights.
The strategy recognises that increased public awareness and both criminal and civil enforcement are complementary elements in addressing the harms IP infringement causes.
Many of you will have been integral in shaping this strategy, and your engagement has been invaluable to us.
As we continue to build strong and effective partnerships across Government and with industry, our approach will be intelligence‑led, harm‑focused and continuously improved.
Challenging context
The context in which we tackle new and emerging issues has of course become more challenging.
The international landscape has changed since Brexit – trade deals beyond Europe present opportunities to seek tailored improvements in partner markets, and we have more freedom to build on existing relationships through multilateral and bilateral relationships too. We recognise the shared challenges and opportunities this brings.
The pandemic has altered things too – it has added to the complexities for enforcement agencies working on the ground as they manage new and competing priorities alongside accelerated changes in consumer behaviour.
New and evolving technology has also changed the way both legitimate and illegitimate goods are accessed – we need to be able to react as quickly as possible, because criminals can act at speed too.
Our strategy looks at the processes and structures, instead of a list of specific issues.
This is because it is designed to put what we need in place to remain flexible, so we can tackle current and emerging issues over the next five years and beyond.
Robust picture
Our new framework will help us develop a more robust intelligence picture, allowing us to tackle IP crime and infringement at both operational and strategic levels.
Our newly reformed IP Crime Group, consisting of Government, enforcement agencies and industry, will work to address issues faced by industry, innovators and creators on the ground, providing opportunities for more public‑private partnerships.
To address emerging issues at a strategic level, we have committed to developing a forum to gather evidence, provide policy direction and help coordinate enforcement efforts.
Cross‑sector collaboration
We will also establish a cross‑sectoral IP Counter‑Infringement Strategy Evaluation Panel, creating robust, measurable data to better quantify the impacts of the strategy’s commitments and prioritise further actions.
The new strategy lays the groundwork to tackle IP crime and infringement in all areas, now and in the future. But we cannot do this alone.
We need the involvement and expertise of rights holders and their representatives to collaborate on a shared approach to awareness‑raising and long‑term consumer behaviour-change campaigns.
So, I ask for your continued support and engagement as we work to deliver the strategy’s ambitious commitments, working toward a society in which IP infringement and crime are unacceptable to all.
Tim Moss is Chief Executive of the UK IPO
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