BASCAP was a partner at the 2nd annual IP Protect Expo that took place on 5-6 February 2013 at the Business Design Centre, London. The event brought together IP experts, law enforcement agencies and rights and brand holders, offering an opportunity for professionals to network across multiple industries.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) co-hosted the two-day IP Protect Expo with the help of partners: BASCAP, Intellectual Property Office, Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group, The British Recorded Music Industry, Federation Against Copyright Theft, Anti Copying in Design, Alliance for Intellectual Property, National Association for the Guarantee of Intellectual Property, the German Anti-Counterfeiting Association, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, International Authentication Association, IFPI, Trading Standards Institute and UNIFAB.
The event gave attendees insight into innovations in IP protection and advances in investigation and enforcement efforts of IP.
ICC representation
For the second year in a row, BASCAP had a stand at the expo where BASCAP reports and related information were made available to event attendees.
Andrew Wilson, Director of Policy and Emilie Boman, Senior Policy Advisory, both of ICC UK, joined the BASCAP team along with Max Vetter, Assistant Director of ICC's Commercial Crime Services.
Seminars
Special seminars were offered alongside the expo that encompassed a wide-range of IP-related issues such as: the fight against illicit trade, developing effective IP strategy, the protection of brands on-line, and the challenges of plain packaging faced by brands and consumers. Country and regional specific seminars tackled tough questions of IP enforcement in Africa, Brazil, China and Russia.
On 6 Feb. BASCAP member Matthew Drew, Security Director, EMEA, HP spoke on "Protecting the HP Brand in Kenya". Mr Drew outlined HP's difficulties stemming the tide of counterfeits of its products in the Kenyan market. He credited BASCAP's work with the Anti-Countefeiting Agency (ACA) as a positive turning point.
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During Mr Drew's talk, Tracy Faustin, BASCAP Project Manager, was asked to elaborate on BASCAP's role in facilitating the reduction of HP counterfeit products in Kenya. In this situation, Ms Faustin explained, BASCAP used its leverage to negotiate a deal between ACA and HP. The message communicated the effectiveness and value of BASCAP for its members.