IACC signs agreement to help Danish IP owners in China

The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) and the Danish Consulate General, Shanghai have signed an agreement to enhance brand protection efforts undertaken by Danish companies in China. 

Under the memorandum of understanding, which was signed yesterday, December 18, the parties will share information and best practices on IP protection, focusing on identifying and fighting online counterfeiting. 

They will also offer the IACC MarketSafe Expansion Program to Danish companies, which is a free anti-counterfeiting service that supports IP enforcement efforts on Alibaba’s platform.

E-commerce platform Alibaba regularly hits the IP headlines. 

In September last year, several trade groups asked Alibaba to “properly address” counterfeiting in a transparent, efficient and speedy manner.

But Alibaba has taken a number of steps towards fighting the counterfeiting problem—in August this year, the platform expanded its brand protection efforts in partnership with the Chinese government.

The company has also called for “stricter enforcement” and “stiffer penalties” to crack down on counterfeiters in China.

Bob Barchiesi, IACC president, said the partnership reflects a mutual commitment to protection Danish companies’ IP from counterfeiters. 

He added: “We look forward to working with the Danish Consulate in ensuring that Danish businesses have the tools and information necessary to do business effectively online and abroad.”

Nicolai Prytz, consul general of Denmark in Shanghai, said the consulate was committed to enhancing the presence of Danish brands on some of the major online platforms in China.

“However, this needs to go hand in hand with protection of their intellectual property rights, and we truly feel the programme can effectively contribute to this,” he said.