IACC 2017 Spring Conference Welcomes IP Experts from 40+ Countries
May 17-19, 2017 – Barcelona, Spain
Almost 400 attendees from 40+ countries convened in Barcelona, Spain last week for our Annual Spring Conference. Participants networked, learned, shared information, and discovered ways to advance the IACC’s global anti-counterfeiting efforts.
Conference Highlights
Voluntary collaboration was a main focus at the Spring Conference. Attendees had the chance to hear from law enforcement and intermediaries during intimate roundtable discussions, and workshops were provided to those interested in learning more about the IACC’s newest partnership program with Alibaba Group, the IACC MarketSafe Expansion Program.
IACC Chair Dawn Atlas said that the organization’s unique collaborative approach “helped us terminate thousands of counterfeit merchant accounts through RogueBlock. It helped us permanently ban nearly 7,000 counterfeit sellers on sites like TaoBao and Tmall. And it helped us provide new and easy ways for small businesses to protect their brands on Alibaba’s online platforms. Collaboration works.”
IACC President Bob Barchiesi said during his opening remarks, “I look out at this audience of almost 400 people from over 40 countries, and I see potential partners. I see everyone as a partner in the solution [to counterfeiting]. All of you have a role to play.” In addition to providing an updated on the IACC MarketSafe Expansion and RogueBlock programs, he also mentioned that the IACC and Amazon were having substantive discussions on creating a partnership to address IP enforcement.
Attendees also benefited from an agenda that covered nearly all aspects of the anti-counterfeiting industry, including emerging technologies, tracking online counterfeiters, and creative solutions to combatting counterfeiting.
During the conference, the IACC also held its first meeting of the DataForce programÐ an IACC initiative that will bring together the information, resources and expertise of our law enforcement as well as industry and intermediary partners to more effectively combat counterfeiting. Approximately 15 representatives from US and international law enforcement and intermediaries exchanged ideas with the IACC on substantive ways to work together. More details will be shared with members as the program progresses.
Keynote Speakers
The Conference’s keynote speakers echoed the need for brands to work closely with other entities, particularly government agencies, to fight fakes. Our conference keynote speaker, Ms. Piedad Alvarez de Arriba, Chief Commissioner of the Central Department of Specialised Crime of the Judicial Police, provided valuable insight into the enforcement initiatives of the Judicial Police including the success of several key IP enforcement operations.
Mr. Josep Carles Llagostera, Principal Customs Administrator of the Barcelona E-Prat Airport, spoke as the conference Friday keynote speaker. He described the Barcelona customs actions and importance placed on stopping counterfeits. He also welcomed and called for increased assistance and collaboration from rights-holders to fight against counterfeiting.
Peter Ratcliffe, Detective Chief Inspector of the City of London Police, provided our Thursday keynote remarks during which he discussed the CoLP’s efforts in tackling IP crime and their IP Crime Directory, a new information sharing resource for brands and enforcement officials.
Networking Receptions
Conference networking receptions gave participants the opportunity to conduct business for both their own companies and for the greater anti-counterfeiting community.
For photos from the IACC 2017 Spring Conference, see HERE.
Recognition
Thank you to our Spring Conference Co-Chairs: Lucy Nichols, GlaxoSmithKline; Jim Duggan, Coty; and James Whymark, Baker & McKenzie!
Thank you to our Silver Sponsor, Yellow Brand Protection, and to our many exhibitors. We look forward to seeing you at the next conference!
The IACC 2017 Fall Conference
The IACC Fall Conference will be held in Marina del Rey, California on October 18-20, 2017. More details are forthcoming so stay tuned!
