More needs to be done to tackle rising intellectual property (IP) crime, according to the IP Crime report published by Baroness Neville-Rolfe.
The report was written by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) on behalf of the UK IP Crime Group. It sets out the latest activity and developments to tackle online IP crime, including targeted investigations by trading standards.
The internet has increasingly become a platform for illegal traders selling counterfeit and pirated goods, which the report conjectures harms the economy, communities and legitimate jobs.
The report claims that greater collaboration has been the key to tackle IP crime so far, and urges more emphasis on working between government, enforcement agencies and industries in the future.
Over the past decade IP crime has evolved into a global issue facing all sectors, and its prevalence on the internet has been increased by limited cross-border standards and the difficult-to-regulate nature of digitally traded goods. Recently, Trading Standards reported a 15% annual increase in the sale of counterfeit goods on the internet.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Intellectual Property Minister and author of the report, said: “Criminals who steal work and ideas, or make and sell fake merchandise pose a real threat to jobs in the UK, and deceive consumers who want to know the goods they buy are the real thing.
“National and international efforts to fight this type of crime are yielding real results, through new specialist resources, greater collaboration and intervention by industry. It is vital that we keep fighting to bring IP criminals to justice and make sure that consumers are alert to the risks.”
Meanwhile, last year the government responded to the growing concerns of IP crime by creating a specialist police unit, The City of London’s Police Intellectual Crime Unit (PIPCU).
“The 2013/14 IP Crime report demonstrates the position of the UK as a global leader in tackling the enforcement of IP crime, with examples of strong partnerships between the IPO, law enforcement and the IP industry delivering notable and innovative successes over the last 12 months,” said Chief Constantly Giles York, Chair of the Intellectual Property Crime Group.