Attire Accessories - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 75)

92 SNAP DRAGON SnapDragon IP is an online monitoring service for SMEs to find and resolve instances of online intellectual property infringement. Its team of experienced, tenacious, multi-lingual data analysts know what it takes to defend a brand online. They use intellectual property rights to defend brands on e-commerce platforms across the world. For more information, visit snapdragon-ip.com or contact the.lair@snapdragon-ip.com infringement issues. Counterfeiters are constantly finding new ways to manufacture and sell their fakes, so you need to keep ahead of the game. Research all the latest scams and keep up-to-date with any new legislation. Remember to register your brand – for free – with the EUIPO Enforcement Database, which helps to detect counterfeits quickly at the point of import. Be proactive If you find you have been targeted, do not panic. If you act immediately, you can resolve the situation, which is why it is vital you monitor for fakes vigilantly. If you spot anything suspicious, buy a sample yourself so you can take a good look and detect any differences. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. Every bona fide online marketplace has an official reporting procedure, so if you find a fake on an online marketplace, register your complaint. You just need to prove the IP is yours, and the link to the fake should be removed. You do not need to involve lawyers to report this kind of infringement, but if you do, in the case of a protracted or significant violation, collate all the background information first so they need to do as little research as possible. Consider China Manufacturing in China offers many advantages, and their factories are second to none. However, as we all know, counterfeiting in China is a problem. If you choose to manufacture in China, insist upon a non-disclosure, non-use, non-circumvention (NNN) agreement. This can be more effectively enforced in China and is better than a standard UK or US NDA. Ensure this is signed before sharing any information about your product to keep your IP as safe and secure as possible. Counterfeiting is a growing industry, especially in thriving markets such as giftware. But remember, the more popular your product becomes, the more at risk you are of being targeted. So don’t let the bad guys win. Be vigilant, be alert and you will win.