The internet has no borders. Unfortunately, neither do counterfeiters. At SnapDragon, we’re leading the charge in the global fight against online counterfeiting, helping brands reclaim revenue, protect customers, and stay ahead of potential infringements to their intellectual property (IP).
Today’s bad actors don’t operate alone. They’re part of fast-moving, well-organised counterfeit networks that exploit the scale and speed of global eCommerce. One listing on a local marketplace can quickly spiral into hundreds of copycat versions across social media platforms, online stores, search ads, and beyond.
For global brands, this creates a dangerous ripple effect where one trademark infringement can snowball into a reputational and commercial crisis. Not even domain names are safe.
As brand protection experts, we’ve seen it happen. And we know how to stop it in its tracks.
Why global brands are uniquely at risk
You’ve worked hard to build a brand that’s recognisable, loved, and trusted. But success comes with visibility: and visibility attracts attention from the wrong places.
Counterfeiters and other bad actors don’t just target small brands. They also go for high-performing products, fast-moving SKUs, and standout brand names. By focusing on established brands, they can exploit consumer trust and brand recognition to sell counterfeit products and phish for data.
They don’t just replicate your listings, copy your creative assets, and undercut your pricing. Sometimes, they go a step further, setting up entire fake storefronts on popular platforms. Almost identical to your real online presence, it appears real to average customers.
And when these fake products circulate, the potential risk is high:
- Lost sales: Revenue is diverted to infringers selling low-quality or dangerous alternatives to your real deal.
- Damaged trust: Customers who unknowingly buy fakes associate the poor experience with your brand.
- Increased complaints and returns: Even when it’s not your fault, your support teams pay the price.
- Diluted brand value: When anyone can copy and sell your products, your brand equity suffers.
You can’t fight this with takedowns and legal action alone. You need a coordinated, scalable strategy that evolves with the threat. For brands going global, an online brand protection service is essential.
When success makes you a target for criminal activity
From tech and fashion to sportswear and luxury, some of the world’s most valuable companies are locked in a constant battle against fakes.
An all-seeing eye is required to fight against these potential reputation and financial losses, because the scale of these threats is staggering.
Counterfeit detection really does take a village, as these household name brands know:
- Nike and Converse recently filed a lawsuit against 52 organised counterfeit networks operating 98 websites and 267 social media accounts to push fake products globally.
- Apple saw U.S. Customs seize over $400,000 worth of fake AirPods and Apple Watches shipped from Hong Kong and disguised in generic packaging to avoid detection.
- Louis Vuitton won a major legal case in Canada, securing damages against counterfeit sellers and reinforcing the importance of strong IP enforcement.
- Rolex had $1.2 million worth of counterfeit watches intercepted in a single shipment at Los Angeles International Airort (LAX), showing how luxury goods are a prime target for international counterfeiting rings.
- Adidas successfully pursued a legal victory in India, recovering damages and securing the destruction of fake goods infringing on their trademarks.
- Ooni Pizza Ovens has just won a major legal victory against a Chinese manufacturer selling copycat ovens – sending a clear message that it will fiercely defend its brand. The Scottish courts ruled in Ooni’s favour after a two-year battle, ordering the infringing company to destroy the counterfeit products and cover legal costs.
As Ooni’s cult-status ovens gained global popularity, the brand became a high-value target almost overnight. Read our case study to see how we helped them combat this.
If these globally recognised brands, armed with legal teams and vast resources, are still fighting to stay ahead of counterfeiters, it shows just how sophisticated and far-reaching the threat has become.
This is why brand protection can’t be reactive. It needs to be proactive, strategic, and global in scope. And it’s exactly the kind of challenge SnapDragon is built to solve.
How SnapDragon helps brands fight smarter
At SnapDragon, we help global clients take the fight to counterfeiters: and win.
We’ve supported brands across 5 continents, monitored hundreds of online platforms, and enforced the removal of tens of thousands of infringements: helping clients protect their IP from New York to New Delhi.
Here’s how we do it:
Comprehensive monitoring across the digital ecosystem
We monitor hundreds of online platforms including global marketplaces, social media channels, app stores, web domains, and search engines. Our tech doesn’t just scan for surface-level listings. It digs deeper, connecting the dots between infringers to uncover hidden networks and recurring threats.
AI-powered threat detection that focuses on what matters most
Our advanced detection tech is built to prioritise impact, not just volume. That means we identify the highest-risk infringements first saving your team time, energy, and budget.
We look for signals of organised counterfeiting: volume sellers, repeat offenders, and coordinated attacks.
So instead of playing whack-a-mole, you’re striking where it hurts.
Fast, effective global enforcement using your IP rights
Once we’ve identified a threat, we act. Fast.
Our experienced enforcement team uses your intellectual property rights to request takedowns directly from the platforms making sure fakes are removed swiftly and efficiently. Because we’ve built strong relationships with online platforms, we know how to navigate each takedown process properly and avoid delays.
Whether you’re facing knock-offs in Europe, brand impersonation in Asia, or scam ads in the US, SnapDragon works as an extension of your team to keep your brand protected: everywhere.
We help you see the full picture (and act on it)
Brand protection isn’t just about reacting. It’s about understanding the threat landscape and staying one step ahead.
When you partner with SnapDragon, we help you:
- Assess the scale and nature of the threat
- Identify your most-targeted brands and products
- Pinpoint high-risk territories and channels
- Build a brand protection strategy that aligns with your business goals
- Track patterns and uncover repeat offenders
- Take down high-threat content at the source.
Our mix of cutting-edge tech and hands-on expertise means you’re never left in the dark, and never left to deal with it alone.
Global protection, local precision
One size doesn’t fit all. Every market has its own platforms, behaviours, and enforcement challenges.
We tailor our support to your brand, your goals, and your regions of operation. Whether you’re launching in a new market or scaling rapidly across borders, SnapDragon ensures your protection evolves with you.
Because when it comes to fighting fakes globally, what matters most is focus. Clarity. Speed. And a partner you can trust to protect what you’ve built.
"SnapDragon’s proactivity around Ooni’s brand protection has been pivotal to our strategy, undoubtedly."
Fight harder against online infringement
SnapDragon is on a mission to clean up the internet for brands and their customers. If you’re ready to fight back at a global scale, we’re ready to stand with you.
Book a free consultation with a brand protection expert, and we’ll help put an end to online threats.
Laura Sodaymay
SnapDragon | Brand Protection Specialist
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