IACC Comments on Alibaba’s Statement on Counterfeiting
June 23, 2016
IACC Comments on Alibaba’s Statement on Counterfeiting
Emphasizes Danger of Counterfeits and Calls for Collaboration Among all Industries
Washington, DC – June 23, 2016 – The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) today is pleased to see clarification from Alibaba Founder Jack Ma, as we adamantly disagreed with his June 14th statements regarding the quality of counterfeit goods. Misleading statements have damaging effects in the fight against fakes. The IACC expects to see Alibaba’s public commitments come to fruition.
Though counterfeiters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they manufacture and sell goods, counterfeits are often made with harmful or toxic ingredients and substandard materials in unsafe and unsanitary environments. These conditions may result in serious health and safety risks for consumers who fall victim to fakes. The IACC will continue to work to aggressively address these issues on behalf of rights holders and consumers.
The IACC has long advocated for a holistic and collaborative strategy that incorporates intermediaries, like Alibaba, as a key part of the solution against counterfeiting and piracy. This includes establishing proactive, preventative measures, as well as takedown procedures to fight fakes. The success of the organization’s RogueBlock® and IACC MarketSafe® programs, which are centered upon constructive partnerships with credit card and financial institutions, and with Alibaba, are examples of the effectiveness of taking a collaborative approach.
In May 2016 the IACC announced the IACC MarketSafe® Expansion Program, which is free of charge to both members and nonmembers and comprised of two components – a working group for brands and relevant associations to provide concrete input and recommendations on Alibaba’s anti-counterfeiting policies; and expedited removal procedures on all Alibaba Group websites. More information about the program will be available in the coming months.
About IACC
The IACC (iacc.org) is a Washington, DC-based not for profit organization representing the interests of companies concerned with trademark counterfeiting and the related theft of intellectual property. The members of the IACC include many of the world’s best known brands across all product sectors. The IACC has played a leading role in the development of cross-industry voluntary agreements, to address the illicit trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods online, including its IACC MarketSafe and RogueBlock initiatives.