Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy

Counterfeiting and piracy are spiraling out of control. The drain on our businesses and on the global economy is now significant. It has resulted in the widespread loss of lawful employment and a massive reduction of tax revenues. The creative community is robbed of reward for effort and innovation. The incentive to invest is reduced. Consumers are increasingly being harmed by unsafe counterfeit products. All signals also point to linkages with organized crime.

In response to this threat, the International Chamber of Commerce has launched BASCAP - Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy - to connect all business sectors and cut across all national borders in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. This global approach is designed to support individual company and organizational efforts and amplify business messages with national governments and intergovernmental organizations.

BASCAP unites the global business community so as to more efficiently identify and address intellectual property rights issues and petition for greater commitments by local, national and international officials in the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights. While carrying out these functions BASCAP also works to increase public awareness of the problems and dangers associated with intellectual property right violations.

BASCAP is being developed in partnership with the ICC Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau drawing upon our 20 years of experience in working with industry to protect brand owners from the damage caused by counterfeiting. The Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau has developed the BASCAP Weekly digest, and the Case study database.

BASCAP goals:

• Increase public and political awareness and understanding of counterfeiting and piracy activities and the associated economic and social harm
• Compel government action and the allocation of resources towards improved IPR enforcement
• Create a culture change where intellectual property is respected and protected