WIPO Proposes A Generic Risk-based Framework For Online Anti-counterfeiting

A report from the WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement presents the findings of their research into anti-counterfeiting practices by online marketplaces. The research looked at the practices and policies of 50 online marketplaces (44 "traditional" online marketplaces and 6 social media/search engine marketplaces) as well as 16 technology providers.

The report concludes that only 8 of the 50 marketplaces studied had "coherent anti-counterfeiting strategies". Of the other 42 marketplaces studied and deemed not to have a sufficient strategy in place, WIPO considers that some of these are "indifferent to the counterfeit problem" and in some cases, written policies are reportedly a "window-dressing" whilst actual actions to tackle counterfeits fall short. Furthermore, in respect of social media marketplaces, WIPO concludes that anti counterfeiting strategies are "well short of that required to serve the sector's business model".