Anti-counterfeiting organisations

International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC)

The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) is an international organisation devoted solely to combating product counterfeiting and piracy. Its members represent a cross section of business and industry - from automobiles, apparel, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals, to food, book publishing, software and entertainment. IACC develops and conducts training for domestic and foreign law enforcement officials, submits comments on intellectual property enforcement laws and regulations and participates in regional and international programs aimed at improving intellectual property enforcement standards. Its anti-counterfeiting programs are designed to increase protection for patents, trademarks, copyrights, service marks, trade dress and trade secrets. visit the IACC website

Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG)

The GACG Network links a number of national and regional anti-counterfeiting organisations world-wide whose common objective is to exchange and share information, to participate in, and contribute to, appropriate international activities and representations, and to co-operate in the resolution of specific IP problems and challenges globally and in their respective national or regional areas. visit the GACG website

Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG)

Based in England, ACG is a trade association representing an international membership of some 200 manufacturers, distributors of branded products and firms of intellectual property lawyers and agents. The group identifies its activities in, inter alia, providing support and co-ordination with law-enforcement agencies and courts, and creating a national and international network of information, advice and contacts on anti-counterfeiting activities. visit the ACG website

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization, the United Nations specialised agency for health, was established in 1948, and groups 192 Member States. The organisation's staff works at headquarters in Geneva, in six regional offices, and in countries. Faced with widespread trade in counterfeit medicines, WHO operates a specific program on counterfeit and substandard medicines which aims at strengthening international cooperation and prevention in this field. visit the WHO website

European Brands Association (AIM)

AIM is the representation for branded goods industries in Europe. Its members consist of about 1800 companies of all sizes, through corporate members and national associations in 20 countries. Headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium. The objective of AIM is to create for brands a good commercial environment offering maximum value to consumers by virtue of intellectual property protection, fair competition and innovation. Intellectual property protection and enforcement, and the fight against counterfeiting, is one of AIMs policy priorities. In this respect, the association also provides a number of publications and documents. visit the AIM Web site

International Trademark Association (INTA)

INTA is a not-for-profit organisation, with headquarters in New York, USA. It has some 4,200 members, companies and firms, from more than 160 countries, and pursues public policy matters concerning trademarks, educating business, the media and the public on the proper use of trademarks. INTA has identified IP enforcement and the fight against counterfeit as a priority in its activities. In this regard, INTA encourages governments to enact legislation and promulgate regulations that go beyond the minimum enforcement standards contained in international accords such as the TRIPS Agreement. The Association also strives for harmonization of legislative protection against counterfeiting and supports initiatives on various national and international levels. visit the INTA website

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) represents business sectors worldwide. The ICC Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau (CIB) was formed in 1985 as a focal point for industries exposed to counterfeiting worldwide. CIB was the first international private business initiative to provide practical prevention and enforcement support for police and customs authorities and is actively involved in the campaign against the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit goods. CIB, whose services benefit multinational companies, trade associations, law firms and providers of anti-counterfeiting technology, has now extended its activities to include intellectual property fraud. Some of the main activities of the CIB include gathering and evaluating intelligence; investigating sources and distribution of fake products; providing expert advice and training; and supplying evidence to enable police to make arrests and to seize counterfeit goods. visit the ICC website

European Communities Trademark Association (ECTA)

ECTA is an organisation representing European law practitioners, with headquarters in Deurne-Antwerpen, Belgium. It lists approximately 1.300 members coming from 80 countries who act before the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) in the field of trade marks and industrial designs. Some specialised committees have been established, among them the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. visit the ECTA website