As part of the national strategy for the prevention of intellectual property (IP) crime, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Intellectual Property Office have joined forces to train more than 350 prosecutors in the construction of criminal cases against counterfeiters.
The Government is particularly concerned to protect the IP rights attaching to the 2012 Olympics and the press release notes that counterfeit lighters bearing the 2012 Olympic logo have already been found on sale in the Midlands.
The Trade Mark Act 1994 and the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 make misuse of copyright in some circumstances a criminal offence. Those convicted under these Acts can face a 10 year prison sentence and/or a fine. Additionally, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the ‘criminal assets’ derived from counterfeiting and piracy can be confiscated.
If you have a problem with infringement of your IP rights, contact us.