IPO Counter-Infringement

Welcome to the Intellectual Property Office’s counter-infringement Twitter hub! We will share updates from @The_IPO's partnership work and showcase educational campaigns. Follow to learn about the fight against IP crime, for advice on spotting fake goods and why to avoid them.

This week we have signed a memorandum of understanding with IP House, supporting illicit trade and digital piracy investigations. This marks the growing importance of public-private collaboration of enforcement experts to tackle increasingly sophisticated IP crime.

Today at #INTA2026, our Director of Enforcement Andy Cooke-Welling hosts a panel with IPO Head of Intelligence Kate Caffrey, DCI Emma Warbey @CityPolicePIPCU and @The_ACG Deputy Director General Chloe Long on tackling counterfeiting collaboratively.

We're thrilled to share that the IPO has been shortlisted twice in the PRCA Wales and South West! For Public Sector Campaign of the Year for the Fake Toys Real Harms Campaign. Media Relations Award for our Counterfeit Flea Treatment Story delivered with support from @vmdgovuk

Today at #INTA2026, we joined the Anticounterfeiting Workshop with @The_ACG, @CityPolicePIPCU, brands and industry experts discussing best practice to tackle IP crime. This follows as Minister @KanishkaNarayan led the discussion on the importance of IP to economic growth.

This week, @The_IPO joined the World Intellectual Property Organization and @premierleague during @WIPO Director General Daren Tang’s UK visit. Discussions explored how IP supports sport, creativity and innovation, aligning with #WorldIPDay2026 and its IP & sport theme.

Our officers remain committed to putting fraudsters behind bars. On Wednesday 29th April at Manchester Airport our officers arrested a 55-year-old man and a 46-year-old man on suspicion of distributing articles infringing copyright and money laundering.

Thank you to Minister @KanishkaNarayan for joining me today @INTA, leading the discussion on how strong brands support customer choice, drive growth, and help UK businesses compete at home and internationally.

Today our enforcement team is hosting the IPO stand at #INTA2026. Collaboration is at the heart of tackling IP crime, and we’re pleased to be engaging with stakeholders on how intelligence sharing and coordinated approaches can better protect UK businesses and consumers.

This Saturday, we are presenting at the #INTA2026 anti‑counterfeiting workshop alongside @The_ACG. The session will include collaborative approaches to tackling IP crime and the shifting landscape of illict trade and technology: inta.org/meetings/2026-…

This week we attended the @info_SSSA_UK Conference, showcasing how the Tick Box scheme is creating a united front against IP crime in self storage. Great to meet with so many storage businesses, which helps facilities work directly with Trading Standards: tick-box.org.uk

Children United Today have published a deep dive into the harms of counterfeits, including toxic beauty products and toys that can cause choking. This builds on our @IPOeducation work to integrate IP into the curriculum across age groups. childrenunited.com/video/children…

Join us at IPO stand 1411 in INTA: 3 May - meet IPO Attachés 4 May - @IPOEnforcement team talk work on enforcement, campaigns & IP crime. 5 May - TM service delivery, 150 anniversary of TMs, transformation 6 May - cover last questions Learn more: gov.uk/government/pub…

⚽ For #WorldIPDay, we're celebrating decades of partnership between sports brands, clubs, law enforcement & government, seizing millions of counterfeit merch. Fakes cost jobs and prevent money from being reinvested. Continued committed partnerships is key to tackling IP crime.

Today for #WorldIPDay we celebrate how IP rights keep sports thriving. Rightsholders are developing innovative techniques to fight IP crime. So their products provide quality products and content for fans, in a way that the fakes never could. Here are some of these innovations:

“Counterfeit pet medicines can contain toxic chemicals like Pirimiphos-methyl – deadly to cats.” – VMD Vet Surgeon We advise anyone who believes they've purchased counterfeit pet medication to speak to your vet and report suspicious products.

Today we attended @The_ACG EXPO in Cardiff. Kate Caffery, Head of Intelligence shared an update on the IPO's Disruption Toolkit, whilst Robert Kennard, Financial Intelligence Manager joined a panel session on Following the Money. Thanks to the ACG for facilitating a great event!

In January we marked 150 years of the UK trade mark registry and asked people about their favourite trade marks. The responses showed how trade marks build trust, familiarity and recognition. Watch the video and read more in our latest blog: ipo.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/22/150…

Record Store Day is held every year in April and honours the special role independent record shops hold in their communities. Last year, we looked at how the industry is fighting back against the counterfeiters as the popularity of vinyl grows: ipo.blog.gov.uk/2025/04/10/spi…

Interested in brand protection? Join @Snapdragon and @amazon for a #WorldIPDay discussion on protecting innovation in sport with intellectual property. 📅 28 April 2026 | ⏰ 2pm to 3pm 👉 Register here: linkedin.com/events/7449743…

On BBC News this morning, we explain the serious dangers fakes pose to consumers who may unknowingly buy online. This comes as @officeforsands Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 sets new measures to tackle dangerous products sold online. Read more: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…