The International Trademark Association to Send High-Level Delegation to Canada

NEW YORK, May 3, 2016 /CNW/ - The International Trademark Association (INTA) will be sending a high-level delegation to Canada in an effort to raise awareness about the harms of counterfeiting to the Canadian public and economy. The delegation visit will also coincide with the official launch of INTA's Unreal Campaign in Canada. INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo will lead the delegation, which will include INTA members from companies and law firms.

The delegation will be in Ottawa for two days, beginning with an Unreal Campaign launch event on May 10. Other meetings are planned with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO); the Department of Public Safety; Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); Health Canada; the Prime Minister's Office, and the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED).

The delegation hopes to provide insight into how and why the illicit counterfeit trade is growing in Canada and to shed light on the criminality of counterfeiting, its dangers to public health, the damage it does to Canadian businesses and economy, and its burden on government.

The dangers to health arise in respect of many types of counterfeit products, including products raising fire, choking, equipment failure or other dangers to health or safety. The dangers are also clear with respect to counterfeit pharmaceuticals as evidenced by past cases reported in Canada, such as the R. v. Nasr case where a Hamilton pharmacist was accused of selling counterfeit medications that appeared to have contributed to the death of several people. Often, counterfeiters sell a variety of fake goods as evidenced in 2014 when the Toronto Police Service executed a criminal search warrant against a recidivist infringer dealing in fake luxury goods that just happened to also be selling counterfeit drugs. Counterfeits can be bought anywhere, from basements to shopping malls, and increasingly on the Internet. Fake and potentially harmful products are found in Canadian homes, businesses, hospitals and schools. Canadian consumers need to know about this growing threat to their health and safety.

The Unreal Campaign is INTA's public awareness initiative designed to educate teenagers (ages 14-18) about the importance of trademarks, intellectual property, and the dangers of counterfeit products. The Campaign has successfully reached over 4,500 students worldwide since its launch in 2012 in Washington, D.C. The Canadian launch events will take place on Thursday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 10, at two schools in Ottawa. Local INTA members will address approximately 120 students during the two events.

One-on-one interviews with INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo and INTA members from Chanel, UL, and Allergan can be scheduled upon request and will take place on May 10 at 5:00 pm.

About INTA
The International Trademark Association (INTA) is the global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce. Members include more than 6,700 trademark owners, professionals and academics from more than 190 countries, who benefit from the Association's global trademark resources, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Brussels, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., and representatives in Geneva and Mumbai.

SOURCE International Trademark Association (INTA)

Jean-Claude Darné, Manager, Communications, [phone], [email protected]; Laura Heery, Coordinator, Communications, [phone], [email protected]