Counterfeiting and Intellectual Property Investigations

Our counterfeiting and intellectual property team emanates from a variety of skilled backgrounds, including practiced lawyers and professional investigators.

Our skills provide a tailor-made investigation service, implementing tested investigation strategies in order to identify any counterfeiting teams operating and compromising your brand.

Investigations are conducted and managed within the guidelines of RIPA – The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, following on from The Human Rights Act 1998. This provides our investigators with the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure operations are conducted with reference to appropriate guidelines and protocols. We are also registered with the Data Protection Act and the ICO.

In all instances we complement our involvement with extensive technical skills and in-house research capabilities incorporating both our own bespoke systems and national and international databases. As with all our assignments, we use only highly trained investigators, equipped with covert time and date stamped recording facilities as a sure-fire method of backing up any evidence we gather.

Anti-counterfeiting reports

Anti-counterfeiting investigations will be overseen by a Director or Senior Manager, working in close co-operation with the Client and our own legal advisors providing expert assistance throughout the course of the investigations and in submission of our evidence for any subsequent legal proceedings.

Where necessary, Conflict International will utilise our network of contacts, enabling us to bring in assistance to cover all eventualities. Discreet companies are in place and can be set up as required to assist in instigating relationships with the retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer as necessary.

We provide you with a comprehensive report at each stage of the investigation, from identifying counterfeit goods and test purchases, through tracing and locating sources with background checks to locating suppliers and liaising with you in any civil or criminal action.

Conflict International, under the advice of our legal team, will coordinate the preparation and service of all appropriate evidence and court documents and will, where necessary, provide support for search and seizure or raid teams involving Customs & Excise and/or civil search orders.