IACC Partners with Europol to Host First Virtual Europol IP Crime Conference
November 23, 2020
The Europol IP Crime Conference 2020 was held virtually for the first time on November 23rd. Organized in partnership with the IACC, the event drew 300 attendees including industry, government, and academic stakeholders from around the world. The conference offered an opportunity for public- and private-sector experts in criminal IP enforcement to share perspectives on the fight against IP crime in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior leadership from Europol, the European Union IP Office (EUIPO), the Office of the U.S. IP Enforcement Coordinator, and the IACC — as well as law enforcement speakers from France and Italy — underscored the dangers posed by counterfeit health products, pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment. They also emphasized the need for continued collaboration.
In Europol’s post-event press release, IACC President Bob Barchiesi congratulated the organizers, speakers and attendees on a successful conference. “We are operating in difficult times that require even bolder leadership, more innovative partnerships and collective action to protect legitimate businesses and consumer safety from criminal counterfeiters,” said Mr. Barchiesi. “We thank our government and industry partners for their continued commitment and look forward to advancing our joint effort to fight fakes.”
Lara Miller, IACC Vice President and Counsel, led a panel with speakers from PVH and Diageo who shared their experience and perspectives in ongoing IP enforcement issues and trends.
The IACC has had a long-standing partnership with Europol. In 2016, the IACC and Europol signed an MOU in Europol’s headquarters in The Hague to bolster the organizations’ collaborative efforts and pave the way for future joint initiatives. The IACC also sat on Europol’s IP Crime Coordination Coalition (IPC3) before working with Europol to launch the annual Europol IP Crime Conference in 2017 in Antwerp, Belgium.
The IACC will co-organize the fifth Europol IP Crime Conference with Europol and the Guardia di Finanza to be held next year in Rome.