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Paris, 11 December 1997–
Anti-counterfeiting organizations from leading industrial countries have decided
to work together in responding to the increased involvement of organized crime
in making and selling fake goods.
The International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization, and
its own Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau, announced the alliance after a meeting
of anti-counterfeiting groups based in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands,
Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The new body, the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) will present a united
front to governments and exchange information and expertise. Peter Lowe, Assistant
Director of the ICC Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau, said: "The initiative
will improve negotiating positions with countries in which counterfeiting is
rampant, and increase the effectiveness of law enforcement measures."
Mr Lowe, who is interim chairman of the new body, said: "Counterfeiting
rings are often financed by organized crime and terrorist groups. They threaten
the health and safety of consumers, rob governments of taxes and steal the creativity
of manufacturers throughout the world."
Formation of the alliance would help industry to mount an effective response
to product counterfeiting, said John Bliss, President of the US-based International
Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition. "Counterfeiters have become very sophisticated
and they are organized on an international scale. In contrast, anti-counterfeiting
bodies have been fragmented. So it has become essential that we build a well-coordinated
international front."
John Anderson, Executive Secretary of the UK-based Anti-Counterfeiting Group,
said: "Counterfeit products are a major threat to health and safety. We
have even encountered counterfeit baby formula that causes convulsions in children.
Fake airplane and car parts are widely available around the world, potential
causes of fatal accidents."
ICC Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau
is an operational unit of ICC Commercial Crime Services, based in London. Other
units are ICC Commercial Crime Bureau and the International Maritime Bureau.
Participating organizations
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