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Intellectual Property Protection and
Investigation Services
Parallel Trade & Product
Diversion
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The Unhealthy Competition!
At ADA Associates we believe that your most important
asset is your brand and as such you should be able to retain total control
throughout the entire distribution and retail processes. Consequently ensuring
the final destination and in what manner your products join the marketplace.
After all it is your company that has invested the substantial resources and
vast sums of money in the development, quality and identity of the brand.
Do you believe that your products are being diverted,
are they being offered for sale through unfavourable retail networks? It is our
intention to ascertain the original source or final destination of merchandise,
which has been supplied subject to, controlled distribution or geographical
restrictions consequently providing a client with evidence of breached sale or
distribution contracts.
In recent years and with the arrival of the European
single market the United Kingdom has seen the dramatic growth of discount
outlets offering cheap designer fragrances and branded merchandise. Often at
significantly reduced prices to those offered through the brand owner's
official retail channels. Goods are often supplied for export at reduced prices
and free of tax only to be diverted back onto the domestic market.
It is therefore essential that brand owners monitor
goods that are obtainable on the parallel market and take steps to protect
their interest by effectively monitoring irregular suspicious orders and coding
products in such a way as to make the original consignment identifiable. This
provides confirmation of the original intended customer and provides evidence
of breached sale or distribution contracts should the consignment be
diverted.
Counterfeiters also recognise and use this avenue of
distribution to introduce their copy and illegitimate products into a
marketplace, often mixed with genuine branded items. Counterfeiters are no
longer individuals offering poor quality fakes; they are business like and
professional offering high quality fakes on a large scale.
Investigations can often be complex, requiring good
judgment and frequently evolve as they progress, however we approach each case
in a considered and methodical manner; with a view to ultimately identifying
those who seek to source your branded products on behalf of undisclosed and
unwelcome retail networks.
It can often be the case that the root cause can be
within your own organisations supply and distribution group.
We are often required to place undercover operatives
inside a workplace, our experienced and fully trained investigators quickly and
discreetly work to identify those employees responsible to bring an immediate
and timely end to the diversion of your merchandise.
If appropriate we provide support through any
disciplinary or legal process to ensure an effective deterrent is in place to
discourage those employees who may be considering a similar course of
action.
Contact ADA Associates today
and allow our experience and knowledge protect your business, innovation and
hard work from those who seek to gain at your expense.
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