Useful Links

Action Fraud is the UK’s fraud and cyber crime reporting centre.

A website that allows you to search for genuine products from brand owner approved shops.

You have the legal right to a refund if you’ve bought something that’s fake or counterfeit.  You can also report the seller to Trading Standards or report the seller for fraud. Trading Standards might take legal action against the seller, but they can’t help you to get your money back.

In Scotland: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/report-fake-or-counterfeit-goods/

In England and Wales: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/report-fake-or-counterfeit-goods/

The Enforcement Database (EDB) is a secure database for customs and police officers to recognise counterfeited goods with the help of information uploaded by right holders.

The tool has been developed by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)and contains information on products that have been granted an intellectual property right, like a registered trade mark or design. Indications on packaging, identifiers, logistics, prior cases and contact persons can all be easily and securely uploaded.

It is free of charge and multilingual.

Police and customs officials from the 28 Member States access this tool to view information and product details in their own language, making it easier for them to identify counterfeits and take action.

The EDB allows the rights holder:

• to file or extend a customs application for action (AFA) electronically to protect his products at the EU border.
• to create alerts, providing a direct communication channel between right holders and enforcement authorities.
• stay informed about suspicious cases detected by enforcement authorities,
• ensure that enforcement authorities will be able to search for your products quickly and easily and access your contact details.

To apply for an account with the EDB, the brand owner just needs a valid registered trade mark or a valid registered design within the European Union.

Free business tools to manage your Intellectual Property Rights

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) is a department of the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud.

Scamadviser helps you check the risk level of the site you buy from.

Find your local trading standards office to report any problems with goods (or services).

Free WHOIS Search, Domain Name, Website, and IP Tools

The world’s leading international organisation dedicated to the protection of intellectual property.

Protect your intellectual property in the European Union

Part of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), managing framework for patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.

IPO is a trade association for owners and others interested in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

IP insurance for SMEs … worth considering before taking your product to a global market.