How can I protect myself from international product piracy?
January 20, 2022 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Alexander Voigt
Dear International Law Attorney,
I have a small business that manufactures high-quality products in Germany and distributes them worldwide. Lately, there has been an increase in cases of product piracy, where my products are illegally copied and offered on the market at a lower price. This not only leads to a loss in revenue, but also damages the image of my company.
I am concerned about how I can protect myself from this international product piracy. I have already taken some legal action, but the pirates often operate in countries where enforcing copyright and trademark infringements is difficult.
I wonder if there are effective measures to protect my intellectual property from product piracy and what I can do to hold the perpetrators accountable. Are there international agreements or laws that can help me? Should I consider patenting my products or registering trademarks to strengthen my protection?
I am grateful for any advice or strategy you can recommend to help me protect my products from international product piracy and prevent further damage to my company.
Sincerely,
Edith Hinze
Dear Mrs. Hinze,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the protection of your intellectual property from international product piracy. It is regrettable that you are faced with such cases, which not only lead to loss of revenue, but also to a loss of reputation for your company.
To protect your intellectual property from product piracy, there are indeed various measures you can take. Firstly, it is advisable to protect your products through patents, trademarks, or copyrights. By obtaining a patent, you secure the exclusive right to commercially use your invention, while a trademark registration gives you the exclusive right to use your logo or brand name. Copyrights protect your creative works such as designs, texts, or music pieces.
Furthermore, you can try to strengthen your protection from product piracy through international agreements such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property or the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). These agreements establish minimum standards for the protection of intellectual property and facilitate the enforcement of your rights in other countries.
If product piracy has already occurred, you should take legal action to hold the perpetrators accountable. This can be done by enforcing your rights in court or by collaborating with customs authorities to seize counterfeit products at the border.
It is also important to work with an experienced international law attorney to develop a tailored strategy for the protection of your intellectual property. An attorney can help you secure your rights and support you in enforcing your claims.
Overall, it is important to take proactive measures and ensure that you take all necessary steps to protect your intellectual property from product piracy. I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you success in securing your products.
Best regards,
Alexander Voigt
Attorney at Law for International Law
