The following organisations provide comprehensive free to access information on original component manufacturers, authorised distributors and /
or reliable grey market sources:
More
The following links provide free-to-access electronic copies
of useful material or instructions for ordering material,
some of which may be chargeable: More
A practical guide to copyright enforcement for Trading Standards professionals
Publication the UK Intellectual Property Office - April 2007
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/section107abrochure.pdf
Authorized source directory
Publication the SIA (Semiconductor Industry Association) Anti-Counterfeit Task Force
http://www.orgalime.org/publications/guides/counterfeiting_guide_en.pdf
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Counterfeit Component Supply
CD Component Obsolescence Group
https://www.cog.org.uk/secure/shop.asp
Order via the ''COG shop''
Best Practices in the Fight against Global Counterfeiting
Guide American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - 16 May 2011
http://publicaa.ansi.org/sites/apdl/Documents/Meetings%20and%20Events/2010%20World%20Standards%20Week/Anti-counterfeiting%20Conference/Anti-Counterfeiting_Best_Practices.pdf
Free to download pdf
Characterizing Transboundary Flows of Used Electronics: Summary Report
Report StEP (Solving the E-waste Problem) - 20 January 2012
http://www.step-initiative.org/getfile.php?id=0000000171&file_id=1
ChipCheck: Inspection of Counterfeit Components Guide
CD-ROM SMART Group
http://www.smartgroup.org/chipcheck/
Free to download
Combating counterfeiting
Publication Orgalime - October 2001
http://www.orgalime.org/publications/guides/counterfeiting_guide_en.pdf
Counterfeit Component Photographic Poster Guide
Publication Bob Willis - March 2009
http://www.bobwillis.co.uk/images/newposters.pdf
Counterfeit Parts: Increasing Awareness and Developing Countermeasures
Report Aerospace Indiustries Association - 1 March 2011
http://www.aia-aerospace.org/assets/counterfeit-web11.pdf
Free to download pdf
Counterfeiting kills - protect yourself
DVD BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers' Association) - first released October 2006
http://www.beama.org.uk/information/newsDetail4.asp?cp=5&npg=4&id=64&pg
DVD may be ordered from the link above
Cyclops 8 Step Guide To Buying Electronic Components
Guide Cyclops Electronics
http://www.cyclops-electronics.com/create_pdf_email.php
Available free on request
Distributor Directory
Publication CIE (Components in Electronics) - published annually
https://www.wdis.co.uk/websubs/NFM/CED/page0.php
Glossary of International Customs Terms
Publication International Customs Organization
http://wcoomdpublications.org/downloadable-publications/glossary-of-international-customs-terms.html
Thirty page document available to download free of charge
Intellectual property rights - manual for lodging of applications for customs action
Publication the European Commission, Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/customs/customs_controls/counterfeit_piracy/right_holders/manual_en.pdf
IP Crime Annual Report 2009-10
Report Intellectual Property Office, UK - 29 July 2010
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipcreport09.pdf
IP Crime Annual Report 2010-11
Report Intellectual Property Office - 9 August 2011
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipcreport10.pdf
Dowmloadable free of charge - references to electronics on page 13
MOD Counterfeit Awareness Seminar 1 July 2011
Presentations MOD Counterfeit Avoidance Working Group
http://www.ukelectronicsalliance.org.uk/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,97/Itemid,9/
Publishable presentations from the seminar available to download
Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights, Results at the EU border - 2010
Report European Commission, Taxation and Customs Union - 14 July 2011
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/customs/customs_controls/counterfeit_piracy/statistics/statistics_2010.pdf
Available to view on download free of charge
Supply Chain Toolkit 2011
Publication Intellectual Property Office, UK - November 2011
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipctoolkit.pdf
Updated version
Testing for counterfeit components
On-line Video Bob Willis - March 2009
http://www.askbobwillis.com/online/componentcounterfeits.html
The Counterfeit Electronic Component Minefield - Version 2
Publication the Component Obsolescence Group - published 2010
https://www.cog.org.uk/secure/shop.asp
Available in hard copy only and only by purchase via the above link
The Counterfeit Electronic Components Minefield - version 1 (sample only)
Publication the Component Obsolescence Group - first published 2008
http://www.cog.org.uk/PDF/booklets/Counterfeit%20Minefield%20Issue%201%20November%202008%20(sample).pdf
Now superseded by version 2
The Date Coding Minefield
Publication the Component Obsolescence Group - first published 2003
http://www.cog.org.uk/PDF/booklets/Date%20Coding%20Minefield%20Issue%201%20Sept%202003%20(sample).pdf
Printed copy may be ordered from https://www.cog.org.uk/secure/shop.asp
The economic impact of counterfeiting and piracy - executive summary
Publication OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) - June 2008
http://www.oecd.org/document/4/0,3343,en_2649_34173_40876868_1_1_1_1,00.html
The illegal shipments (or export) of e-waste
Leaflet Element 14 - 4 May 2011
uk.farnell.com/images/en_UK/rohs/pdf/backyard_recycling.pdf
The Safe Shoppers Guide
Publication Electrical Safety Council, UK
http://www.escsafeshoppersguide.org.uk/
This useful guide is available as a web page and downloadable on pdf format
Trade Marks: Essential Reading
Boolet Intellectual Property Office - May 2010
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/t-essentialreading.pdf
If you are aware of any other useful publications on counterfeiting that you think should be listed here please contact us.
The following organisations are active in undertaking work to combat the threat posed by counterfeiting, either of all goods or specifically electronic
components. A lot of information is free to access although some organisations may require you to become a member:
More
Alliance Against IP Theft
The Alliance Against Intellectual Property (IP) Theft is a UK-based coalition of 20 associations and enforcement organisations including representatives of the audiovisual, music, video games and business software, and sports industries, branded manufactured goods, publishers, authors, retailers and designers.
http://www.allianceagainstiptheft.co.uk/
Alliance for Grey Market and Counterfeit Abatement
A strategic initiative composed of leading high technology companies committed to addressing the global impact of the grey market and counterfeiting of goods on the technology industry
http://www.agmaglobal.org/
All-Party Parliamentary IP Group
The Group was launched in 2003 to create a resource for parliamentarians of both Houses interested in learning more about IP, its role in stimulating creativity and economic growth, how new services are developing to serve consumer needs, and the harm that can be caused when IP is not properly respected and protected
http://www.allpartyipgroup.org.uk/index.html
Anti-Counterfeiting Group
The UK based Anti-Counterfeiting Group represents nearly 200 organisations globally, operating in, or providing specialist advice to, most industry sectors where counterfeiting is an issue.
http://www.a-cg.org/
BEAMA
BEAMA provides leadership, expertise and independent influence in the areas of product safety, performance, energy efficiency and sustainability, in particular influencing UK and European policy. BEAMA has very broad experience in manufacturer representation with particular emphasis on product legislation, standards and market surveillance.
http://www.beama.org.uk/en/committees/anti--counterfeiting.cfm
ChipCheck
The new EU FP7 part funded two year project ChipCheck is seeking to address the issues generated by counterfeit electronic components with the development of a new inspection system
http://www.chipcheck.eu/
Counterfeiting Kills
A website managed by the BEAMA Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group, which comprises members from all of the major brands in the circuit breaker and electrical accessory sectors, and exists to raise awareness and create a political will in affected countries, employ investigators to take group raid action at source, mainly in China and in market countries and establish international communication network between Far East, Middle East and Africa
http://www.counterfeit-kills.co.uk/
ERAI
ERAI monitors, investigates and reports issues that are affecting the global supply chain of electronics providing in-depth information on counterfeit, substandard and high-risk parts, reporting and investigation services and information and risk mitigation solutions.
http://www.erai.com/
EU - China IP Working Group
Starting in 2004, structured annual EU-China talks on IPR have been held alternately in Brussels and in Beijing, enabling both sides to share information on multilateral/bilateral IPR issues and national IP legislation and practices, and identify shortcomings and proposals for improvement.
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/trade-topics/intellectual-property/dialogues/
EU (European Union)
The EU is working on a number of fronts to increase IPR protection, working in the WTO to improve respect for IP rights and was a key supporter of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. The EU negotiates provisions on IP rights protection in its bilateral trade agreements and works closely at a technical level with its trading partners on IP issues, with the authorities of certain third countries, the EU conducts "political dialogues" on IP issues (usually involving European industry), and/or runs technical co-operation programmes intended to help enhance IPR system. The EU is also involved in the development of a new Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/sectoral/intell_property/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/sectoral/intell_property/ipr_china_en.htm
European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA)
The Anti Counterfeiting Task Force within ESIA works with its counterpart within SIA to raise awareness throughout the US and EU communities of semiconductor counterfeiting and coordinates common industry action on both sides of the Atlantic by issuing and promoting guidelines for semiconductor purchasing and semiconductor manufacturers to mitigate counterfeits and issuing detection guidance and training for Border Control Authorities.
http://www.eeca.eu/index.php/esia_actf-anticounterfeiting/en/
Federation Against Software Theft - Investors in Software
The Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software (IiS) represent the UK software industry to strengthen and clarify the advice given to the end user community relating to best practice for Software Asset Management (SAM) and achieving cost efficient licence compliance.
http://www.fastiis.org/about_us/Federation_Against_Software_Theft-Investors_In_Software/
GIDEP (Government Industry Data Exchange Program)
A cooperative activity between government and industry participants seeking to reduce or eliminate expenditures of resources by sharing technical information essential during research, design, development, production and operational phases of the life cycle of systems, facilities and equipment
http://www.gidep.org/
http://www.gidep.org/mod_perl/framepage.cgi?pg=/data/failure/failure.htm
Global Intellectual Property Center
An affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce leading a worldwide effort to champion intellectual property rights
http://www.theglobalipcenter.com
Her Majestys Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
HMRC is responsible for frontier customs protection of IP rights in the UK and for processing applications for protection from IP rights holders. Physical checks at the frontier are undertaken by the UK Border Agency on behalf of HMRC.
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000244&propertyType=document
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
The leading global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies that serve as a basis for national standardization and as references when drafting international tenders and contracts. TC 107, which develops process management standards on systems and equipment used in the field of avionics including electronics used in commercial, civil and military aerospace applications, is currently working on teh development of an international standard for the management of the threat of counterfeit components.
http://www.iec.ch
http://www.iec.ch/online_news/etech/arch_2010/etech_0910/ca_3.htm
Intellectual Property Office
The Intellectual Property Office is the official government body responsible for Intellectual Property (IP) rights in the UK. These rights include patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. The Intellectual Property Office manages the IP Crime Group, which brings together Government, enforcement agencies and industry groups. The group aims to ensure a collaborative approach in addressing key IP crime (counterfeiting and piracy) issues.
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/pro-policy/pro-crime/pro-crime-group.htm
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/subscribe.htm
International Authentication Association
Based in the UK, the IAA promotes the use of authentication systems, technologies and products as an integral part of an effective strategy to protect products, documents and their users from counterfeiting and fraud
http://internationalauthenticationassociation.org/content/iaa_mission.php
International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA)
IMHA represents the interests of global producers and suppliers of holograms used for anti-counterfeiting, authentication and security applications.
http://www.ihma.org
National Fraud Authority
SET up by the UK Government in October 2008, the National Fraud Authority Authority (NFA) is an Executive Agency of the Attorney General's Office and one of the Law Officers' Departments. The NFA is tasked with the implementation of the National Fraud Strategy and working with others in the counter-fraud community to create a hostile environment for fraudsters. Part of their role is to simplify the process that brings justice to bear on fraudsters by eliminating barriers to successful prosecutions.
www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk/nfsa/nfrc/FAB/Pages/Counterfeitgoods.aspx
No to Fakes
The No To Fakes website provides useful information on organisations and events etc worldwide rleating to counterfeits across all sectors and is hosted by Bilcare Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd
http://www.notofakes.com
OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry
The OECD launched a project in 2005 to assess the magnitude and impact of counterfeiting and piracy, to improve factual understanding and awareness of how large the problem is and the effects that infringements of intellectual property rights have on governments, business and consumers in member countries and non-member economies.
http://www.oecd.org/document/50/0,3343,en_2649_34173_39542514_1_1_1_1,00.html
Orgalime
Orgalime acts on behalf of the engineering sector in Europe to and is pressing the European Commission, which is already active in a number of areas, to promote more actions on the external markets in both countries producing counterfeits and those importing them, and to push for an improvement in the application of existing regulations.
http://www.orgalime.org/issues/counterfeiting.asp
Quality Brands Protection Committee
The QBPC comprises more than 180 multinational member companies and works with the Chinese government to address the issues of IPR infringement, including trademark counterfeiting and piracy, originating in China.
http://www.qbpc.org.cn/
Semiconductor Industry Association
The SIA Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF) is working on a variety of fronts stop counterfeits from entering the marketplace
http://www.sia-online.org/cs/anticounterfeiting
Stopfakes
Website managed by the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements.
http://www.stopfakes.gov/
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group represents the interests of UK and multinational companies, manufacturing a wide range of products from toothpaste to mobile phones, chocolate to car parts. Membership also includes lawyers, trade mark agents and brand protection specialists, creating a unique environment for anti-counterfeiting interests to collaborate. ACG campaigns against the trade in fakes on behalf of consumers and legitimate business interests, in partnership with government and law enforcement agencies, and other rights organisations.
http://www.a-cg.org/
The European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy
The European Commission has created the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy which serves as a platform to join forces, to exchange experiences and information and to share best practices on enforcement. The Observatory also functions as a central resource for gathering, monitoring and reporting crucial information that will improve our knowledge about the dangerous phenomenon of counterfeiting and piracy, and will allow us to target our enforcement resources.
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/iprenforcement/observatory/index_en.htm
The European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy
The European Commission has created the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy which serves as a platform to join forces, to exchange experiences and information and to share best practices on enforcement. The Observatory also functions as a central resource for gathering, monitoring and reporting crucial information to improve knowledge about counterfeiting and piracy and enable the targeting of enforcement resources.
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/iprenforcement/observatory/index_en.htm
The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition
The world's largest non-profit organization devoted solely to protecting intellectual property and deterring counterfeiting. Membership spans from automotive, apparel, luxury goods and pharmaceuticals, to food, software and entertainment, from small privately owned companies to large multinationals.
http://www.iacc.org/
Trading Standards Institute
The Trading Standards Institute provides business guidance on compliance with trading standards legislation. The local trading standards service can be located through a postcode search facility on the website.
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/advice-business.cfm
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/index
TransAtlantic IPR Portal
Hosted by the European Commission, this portal lists the resources to promote intellectual rights that have been developed by various government agencies and programmes in the United States and the European Union
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/initiatives/ipr/index_en.htm
UK IP Crime Group
The UK IP crime group was founded in 2004 by the Intellectual Property Office due to the need to bring together Government, enforcement agencies and industry groups. The group aims to ensure a collaborative approach in addressing key IP crime (counterfeiting and piracy) issues.
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/pro-policy/pro-crime/pro-crime-group.htm
US Patent and Trademark Office
The US Patent and Trademark Office manages the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) programme to combat the criminal networks that traffic counterfeit and pirated goods, stop trade in these goods at America's borders, block these goods around the world, and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights overseas.
http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/stopfakes.htm
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
An agency of the United Nations dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.
http://www.wipo.int
World Customs Organization
The WCO introduced IPM to the world's senior customs officials during the WCO Council Meeting in June 2010. IPM is a secure communication tool for the exchange of information between right holders and customs administrations to combat counterfeiting including the provision for rights holders to provide information to a database accessible by field customs officers, a compendium of national legislation on intellectual property rights and 'counterfeiting' reports by sector.
http://www.wcoomd.org/
http://ipmpromo.wcoomdpublications.org/
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