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A Case for Anticounterfeiting

Wherein our anonymous CSO makes and proves the argument that anticounterfeiting should be a security function

In another case, a newly forged relationship between one of our security agents and local law enforcement allowed us to identify the movement of counterfeit goods. One of our security team's normal business practices has always been to develop strong relationships with law enforcement organizations at the local and national levels; now, we're leveraging these relationships to establish new ones with customs and trade-enforcement organizations. Recently, a case in the United Kingdom resulted from a relationship our London-based executive had developed with members of the Trading Standards Service. A Trading Standards Service officer called our security agent with a tip and asked if we wanted to pursue the case. This resulted in the identification of a counterfeiting ring that was importing counterfeits from China and distributing in select cities in the United Kingdom.

By leveraging some of security's core competencies, the company has realigned responsibilities and improved the productivity of at least two departments. Security is supporting anticounterfeiting operations as a value-add to its traditional mission. Meanwhile, the company's legal department has been able to shift its resources to priorities that require counsel—areas such as real estate, labor law and copyright and trademark registration.

In addition, leveraging security's infrastructure has assured the company a greater degree of expense control in anticounterfeiting initiatives that involve the use of third parties. That's because security is able to manage the operations and deliverables of the vendors more closely than the legal department was realistically able to do. In the world of brand protection, dollars can easily funnel into a black hole, but a nonrevenue-producing operations team like our security organization can apply its aggressive fiduciary responsibilities across all its disciplines. It's what we do.

Also, there's been a fundamental shift in the company's anticounterfeiting philosophy. Without sacrificing the benefits of litigation, the company is now embracing a focus on results. While our anticounterfeiting operations are not a solution—the counterfeiting problem is not going away for any trademark holder—our emphasis on results is bringing to light the level of exposure the company has to counterfeits in the marketplace while also demonstrating significant improvements in the number of counterfeit items that are being seized and removed from the public's eye. This is great for our business and our customers and a nice "protecting our brand" message our company can share proudly.

Last but not least, extending anticounterfeiting to become part of the security mission has resulted in unanticipated benefits for security. Counterfeits strike at the heart of our customers, our employees and our stakeholders, engendering a passion to take action to eliminate or at least contain the effects of counterfeits. As a security group, we can harness that passion. The security department has been able to enhance its image as a positive and valuable discipline within the broader company. The security department's employees can be seen as more valuable members of the company. Now, local security agents are able to use the enthusiasm for our anticounterfeiting efforts to gain a greater acceptance of overall security across the entire business channel. Maybe now our mantra should be, "Asset protection is everyone's job!" ##