MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY NEWS
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Lake Forest firm launches counterfeit identification site
National Trademark Investigations’ isitfake.org aims to expose knock-offs.
By Ashly McGlonePublished: March 22, 2010 09:10 AM
Lake Forest-based National Trademark Investigations – or NTI – has launched a new Web site that’s designed to help manufacturers and consumers identify counterfeit goods.
The site – isitfake.org – allows visitors to submit photos of logos and other items for evaluation. The site responds with an authenticity report. Confirmed counterfeits are posted on the site for others to see.
Current posts include True Religion jean knock-offs and Botox imitators.
Intellectual property theft costs U.S. businesses up to $250 billion annually, according to the Global Intellectual Property Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Web site’s purpose is three-fold, according to National Trademark Investigations President Mike Santoni.
“First, consumers can reach out for help determining whether an item they have purchased is legitimate branded merchandise or a knock-off,” he said. “Secondly, each time isitfake.org is able to conclusively identify and report on a counterfeit, it adds to the searchable gallery on the site as a resource for the public. And finally, it provides brand owners with a new source of information about knock-offs that they can use in their anti-counterfeiting efforts.”
Counterfeit items can also be submitted anonymously through the site.
National Trademark Investigations, which was founded in 1980 under the name National Sales Audits, provides trademark usage, acquisition, compliance and infringement investigations to brand owners and trademark professionals. The company has offices in Los Angeles and Orange counties and provides services to clients worldwide.
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The site – isitfake.org – allows visitors to submit photos of logos and other items for evaluation. The site responds with an authenticity report. Confirmed counterfeits are posted on the site for others to see. Current posts include True Religion jean knock-offs and Botox imitators. Intellectual property theft costs U.S. businesses up to $250 billion annually, according to the Global Intellectual Property Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Web site’s purpose is three-fold, according to National Trademark Investigations President Mike Santoni. “First, consumers can reach out for help determining whether an item they have purchased is legitimate branded merchandise or a knock-off,” he said. “Secondly, each time isitfake.org is able to conclusively identify and report on a counterfeit, it adds to the searchable gallery on the site as a resource for the public. And finally, it provides brand owners with a new source of information about knock-offs that they can use in their anti-counterfeiting efforts.” Counterfeit items can also be submitted anonymously through the site. National Trademark Investigations, which was founded in 1980 under the name National Sales Audits, provides trademark usage, acquisition, compliance and infringement investigations to brand owners and trademark professionals. The company has offices in Los Angeles and Orange counties and provides services to clients worldwide. |
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