Press Releases

Archive of press releases, click on the year to see the PR from that year. Most of the Press releases are PDF files. You will need Adobe Reader to vie the. Download Adobe Reader (FREE)

2010
2009

2008
2007

2006
2005

2010 Press

29th July 2010
Councillors call for clearer sanctions on market operators to tackle counterfeiting

Clearer penalties are needed for market operators who fail to take action against illegal traders, according to councillors surveyed by the Alliance Against IP Theft.

29 July 2010

The Alliance welcomes the publication of the latest IP Crime Report.

The Report showcases the wide range of activities industry is undertaking with law enforcement to combat IP crime but highlights the ongoing challenges we all face in ensuring consumers, local communities, legitimate traders and business are free from the harm caused by the sale of fake goods.

Click here to download the report (external link)

26 May 2010

DLA Piper have scooped first prize at the Alliance Against IP Theft Big Quiz & Auction Night

Hosted by Radio 5 Live’s Phil Williams. Thirty two teams attended the quiz night and auction from a broad range of industries, including law firms, the creative industries and some of our best known brands.

26 April 2010

Alliance gears up for “Big Quiz Night & Auction” with Radio 5 Live’s Phil Williams confirmed as host

30 teams already signed up for Quiz night, to be held on 20th May at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Excitement continues to grow ahead of the much anticipated Alliance Big Quiz Night & Auction, with Radio 5 Live’s Phil Williams unveiled as Quiz Host and Auctioneer.

12 April 2010

Alliance “Big Quiz Night & Auction” places filling up fast

The Alliance Against IP Theft, a unique coalition of trade and enforcement organisations providing a single voice for those who share an interest in preventing intellectual property theft, is holding its inaugural Big Quiz night on 20th May at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

6 April 2010

Value and Protect: A Manifesto for IP

With the election only weeks away, the Alliance wants to ensure that the political parties prioritise measures to combat IP crime, and place IP at the heart of their policy pledges. To help with this, ‘Value and Protect: A Manifesto for IP’ outlines a series of realistic and achievable actions for the incoming government.

29 March 2010

Conference agrees to make markets fake-free

On Friday 26th March the coalition behind the ‘Real Deal Charter’, the national campaign designed to banish illegal counterfeit and pirated goods from UK markets and car boot sales, came together to champion the Real Deal.

16 March 2010

Real Deal Campaign announces seminar on counterfeiting in markets

The coalition behind the ‘Real Deal Charter’, the national campaign aimed at protecting consumers from illegal counterfeit and pirated goods at UK markets and car boot sales, has announced that it will be hosting a seminar at the end of March in central London.

11 March 2010

Bookings now open for Alliance “Big Quiz Night & Auction”

Confirm your place at the Quiz night on 20th May and help raise funds to combat IP theft

16 February 2010

Alliance to host inaugural “Big Quiz Night & Auction” at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium

The Alliance Against IP Theft, an organisation set up to promote and protect the value of intellectual property, has announced that it will be holding its inaugural dinner and quiz night on the evening of Thursday 20th May 2010 at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC.

2009 Press

9 December 2009

Have a REAL happy Christmas, don’t buy fakes!

As the shopping frenzy is gathering pace ahead of Christmas, industry, trading standards and the government have joined forces to warn consumers of the various dangers posed by fake products.
In this difficult economic climate money is tight for many of us, but there could be a high price to pay for bargain presents that aren’t the real deal. The criminal trade in fakes has proven links with other organised crime and undermines legitimate businesses, especially when the fakers gear up for the festive season.

Millions of low-quality counterfeit products are flooding the country in time for Christmas, particularly in markets, car boot sales and online. Criminals will deliberately copy well-known brands - sometimes even charging a similar price – but beware, these fakes can pose a serious risk to consumers’ safety.

18 November 2009
Alliance welcomes Digital Economy Bill measures on digital filesharing

Welcoming the news that the Queens Speech will contain a Digital Economy Bill, Susie Winter, Director General of the Alliance Against IP Theft, said:

“The Alliance welcomes the confirmation in today’s Queen’s speech that the Government is to introduce legislation to tackle digital copyright infringement. This is costing industries across all sectors millions of pounds; harming reinvestment in new content and innovation and threatening the livelihoods of the thousands of performers, artists and support workers.

“We are delighted that a cross party consensus has emerged around the need for urgent action and we urge all parties to do everything they can to ensure the Bill becomes law before the General Election.”

26 October 2009 (PDF)
Manchester says 'no' to fakes

Manchester City Council's Market Division became the first in the country to officially sign the recently launched Real Deal national charter on Wednesday 28 October at Manchester's Arndale Market. The charter is part of an initiative to keep dealers in counterfeit and other illicit goods from UK markets and car boot sales.

Manchester says 'no' to fakes

25 August 2009 (PDF)
Alliance Launches new website

The Alliance Against IP Theft today launched a new website for anyone seeking information about the value of Intellectual Property and impact of Intellectual Property theft in the UK. The new website contains information about the cost of IP theft to the UK economy, the harm it causes to consumers, the damage it causes to legitimate businesses and IP crime’s links with other criminal activity. The site also details the Alliance’s current policy concerns and campaigns and its responses to Government consultations.

1 July 2009 (PDF)
National charter aims to kick counterfeit traders out of markets and car boot sales

A new national charter, launched this week at the Trading Standards Institute’s (TSI) Annual Conference in Brighton and the Local Government Association Conference in Harrogate, will help local authority trading standards services, market operators and copyright and trademark owners in their ongoing battle against dealers in counterfeit and other illicit goods at UK markets and car boot sales.

25 June 2009 (PDF)
IP Crime Report Published

Today saw the publication, under the auspices of the IP Crime Group (of which the Alliance is a member), of the IP Crime Report. The Report presents the broad scope of activity being undertaken across industry, government and public enforcement bodies to tackle IP crime. While some significant developments have been made, notably in the work being undertaken by the IP Intelligence Hub, the evidence clearly shows that progress in combating this growing criminal activity remains slow. We need to ensure IP law is enforced effectively and on a national basis, and that those charged with its enforcement have the resources necessary to make real inroads into stopping IP crime. Click here to download the IP Crime report.

16 June 2009 (PDF)
Alliance questions effectiveness of Digital Britain Proposals.pdf

The Alliance welcomes the announcement that the role of ISPs in combating illegal peer-to-peer filesharing is to be entrenched in legislation. However, we remain disappointed that this role is to be initially limited to the sending of notification letters, leaving mass litigation by industry as the only other next step.

17th April 2009
Pirate Bay Found Guilty
Following the announcement of this morning’s decision in the Pirate Bay case, Thomas Dillon for the Motion Picture Association said.

“We welcome the Swedish court’s decision to convict and sentence the people behind The Pirate Bay, the source of immense damage to the creative industries in Sweden and internationally. This important decision confirms that Sweden’s laws do protect creative works and apply online. We now look to the Swedish authorities to end this criminal enterprise.

This is an important decision for rights-holders, underlining their right to have their creative works protected against illegal exploitation and to be fairly rewarded for their endeavours. This decision will help to support the continued investment in talent and in new online services (both locally and internationally), and the creation of new films and television shows for enjoyment by audiences around the world.”

The four defendants were convicted of copyright offences and sentenced each to one year’s imprisonment. Substantial damages were also awarded against them.

30th March 2009 (PDF)
Local Authorities blinkered on fake goods
Councillors are not only blinkered to the damage being done to their local communities by the sale of fake goods, but are unsure as to who should be responsible for stopping this criminal activity. This is despite the vast majority of councillors believing it is important to protect consumers from substandard or dangerous products.

This discrepancy was uncovered following research carried out by the polling company ComRes.

10th March 2009
Tackling film pirates would generate £614 million for the UK economy
A report published today has found that some straightforward steps to tackle film piracy would increase UK economic output by £614 million and protect the jobs of many thousands of people employed in the film industry, as well as creating some 7,900 jobs in the wider economy.

29th January 2009 (PDF)
Alliance sees progress in Digital Britain report .pdf
Alliance response to the Governments Digital Britain Interim report.

2008 Press

17 December 2008
Alliance welcomes report into IP crime at work

8th August 2008
Councillors unaware of key crime fighting tool
An overwhelming majority of councillors and council officers believe that IP crime is a serious criminal activity, and that ensuring criminals do not benefit financially from their crimes is a priority for law enforcers. However, over half are not aware of an important piece of legislation which can make sure this does not happen.

24th July 2008
The Alliance welcomes agreement to bring about 'significant reduction in unlawful file sharing'
The Alliance Against IP Theft welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding signed by representatives of the film and music industries, six key internet service providers (IPSs) and the Departments for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

5th June 2008
Alliance marks 10 years of achievement with call for more action
Alliance urges government departments to work more closely to ensure IP is at the core of public policy making

16th April 2008
Alliance gets bigger and better!
Growth in membership reflects industry's continued determination

22nd February 2008
Working towards a Creative Britain
Alliance welcomes publication but urges any changes in penalties need to apply to trade mark infringement as well as copyright.

2007 Press

24th August 2007
A Swinging Time had by all!
Spirits were high, divots flew and balls soared (some even in the intended direction) at the 11th Annual Alliance Golf Day

8th August 2007
Councils demand more cash to tackle IP crime
More than four out of five councillors and officers say additional money must be made available to trading standards

26th July 2007
'Missed opportunity' says Alliance to Government's response to Select Committee Report
Importance of creative industries acknowledged but positive words not backed up by response to key recommendations.

17th July 2007
Alliance welcomes commitment from new IP Minister
Speaking at the Alliance's Summer Party, new IP Minister Lord Triesman confirmed the Government's commitment to tackling IP crime.

27th June 2007
Copyright industries in initiative to support trading standards work
Guidance published for trading standards on how new copyright enforcement powers can help reduce crime in local communities

17th May 2007
Businesses urged to protect themselves against intellectual property theft
Alliance calls on all businesses to adopt IP Compliance Policies

16th May 2007
Alliance welcomes support from Parliamentary Committee for intellectual property
The Alliance urges the Government to adopt the Culture Select Committee's recommendations on camcording, damages and the role of ISPs at the earliest opportunity

8th May 2007
£2 million pirate DVD seizure is largest ever in UK
Over 800,000 discs seized and five arrested

6th April 2007
Easter bargain hunters warned to watch out for fake goods
The Alliance Against IP Theft is warning bargain-hunters that buying fake goods at traditional Easter car boot sales could leave them ripped off and out of pocket

6th April 2007
New powers for trading standards "put criminals on notice" says Alliance
Copyright thieves are today put on notice of potential prosecution by trading standards as they finally get the power to deal with this growing problem of intellectual property crime.

2006 Press

6th December 2006
“IP Minister Required for Intellectual Property Battle” - Alliance Against IP Theft
The Alliance Against Intellectual Property Theft has welcomed the Government’s endorsement of the independent Gowers Review’s main recommendations.

05 October 2006
FACT appoints new Director General.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) is delighted to announce the appointment of Kieron Sharp as its new Director General. Kieron takes up his post on 6th November 2006.

26 July 2006
Councils Call for Government Action Against IP Crime.
Over 250 delegates at the Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth demanded urgent Government action to target IP crime. They were joining a call from the Alliance Against IP Theft and the Trading Standards Institute for greater funding for trading standards officers to tackle a growing problem.

13 June 2006
‘Sale of Fake Goods Online - A Growing Problem’ says Alliance.
On World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, the Alliance Against Intellectual Property (IP) Theft is warning buyers to beware when they purchase goods online.

08 May 2006
The Alliance today echoed the CBI's call for a dedicated Minister for IP.
The Alliance Against Intellectual Property Theft has welcomed the launch of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) as a major step forward in policing.

27 April 2006
"Gowers must tackle enforcement concerns" says Alliance
The Alliance Against Intellectual Property (IP) Theft has urged the Gowers Review to recommend important changes to the way intellectual property rights are enforced in the UK. Alliance Director General, Susie Winter, was commenting as it made its submission to the Treasury commissioned Gowers Review of Intellectual Property.

03 April 2006
“SOCA Must Target IP Theft” says Alliance
The Alliance Against Intellectual Property Theft has welcomed the launch of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) as a major step forward in policing.

10 March 2006
Secure Use of IP in Digital Age to Benefit Both Consumers and Industry, says Alliance Against IP Theft
New media and technological advances are delivering great benefits to consumers, according to the Alliance Against IP Theft.

27 February 2006
MPs Encouraged to ‘Spot the Fake’
The creative industries contribute over 8% of the UK’s GDP and are responsible for nearly two million jobs, but there remains a significant lack of understanding regarding the role and importance of intellectual property.

MPs are therefore being challenged to ‘Spot the Fake’ at a new exhibition in the House of Commons. The exhibition, organised by the Alliance Against IP Theft, will allow MPs and Peers to view examples of fake goods, and hear first hand the importance of IP to innovation and enterprise.

20 February 2006
Alliance welcomes Assets Recovery Agency and York City Council confiscation order
The Alliance welcomes today's announcement that the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) Financial Investigators, working in partnership with City of York Council Trading Standards, were successful in obtaining a Confiscation Order in the sum of £39,000 in relation to the sale of counterfeit goods at local car boot sales.

2005 Press

05 December 2005
Alliance to feed into review of intellectual property
Following the announcement by the Chancellor of a review into intellectual property rights in the UK, Alliance chair, Lavinia Carey, said: “This announcement is the confirmation of a manifesto commitment given by Labour at the election in May resulting from the Alliance’s lobbying the government, Lord Sainsbury and his officials. The Alliance will be keeping a close eye on developments and feeding in to this review.”