AIM ANTI-COUNTERFEITING COMMITTEE

AIM is the European Brands Association. It represents brand manufacturers in Europe on key issues which affect their ability to design, distribute and market their brands. AIM’s membership groups some 1800 companies of all sizes through corporate members and national associations in 21 countries. EU consumers spent 640 billion Euro on food, drink, home and personal care brands alone in 2012. For over 30 years AIM has coordinated the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, bringing together AIM members with other associations, organisations and companies who are also affected by the menace of counterfeiting and piracy.

Mission

•  To act as a strong, coherent voice for European industry in the fight against the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit and pirated items
• To engage in worldwide cooperation with all public and private sector stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and public policy makers

National Associations

Belgium: Association Belge Anti- Contrefaçon ABAC-BAAN, established in 1995, is a non-profit organisation which defends the interests of intellectual property right holders. Located in Belgium it was created by several reputed trade marks holders who were victims of counterfeiting in Belgium and Luxembourg. Many different branches of the industry are represented, from luxury goods to common consumer goods, such as clothing, sports equipment, leather goods, perfumes, toys and entertainment.

Belgium/Luxembourg: BABM - Belgilux Association of Branded Products Manufacturers. BABM is the Belgilux Association of Branded Products Manufacturers and AIM’s National Association. It represents the branded fast moving consumer goods industry in Belgium and Luxembourg on key issues which affect the ability of brand manufacturers to design, distribute and market their brands. BABM was founded in 1994 and current membership includes 50 companies producing national and international branded products in the BeLux area.

France: Comité Colbert - French Luxury Goods Association. The Comité Colbert, comprising 69 French luxury companies, represents a major economic force. The Comité Colbert is eager to ensure the long-term existence of this living, artistic heritage. Through its committees, the Comité Colbert implements campaigns to awaken the interest of younger generations. The Comité conveys the cultural richness of its members, their capacity for creation and innovation. The Comité Colbert helps its member companies combat counterfeiting.

France: Union des Fabricants - French Anti-Counterfeiting Association.  Union des Fabricants, the French anti-counterfeiting association, is a unique observatory for protecting intellectual property rights. Its task, which is in the public interest, benefits to all its members, providing them with a forum for obtaining and exchanging information. Union des Fabricants works with government departments, dialogues with national and international bodies, organises trainings or actions and communicates with the general public. The main tasks of Union des Fabricants are to: · inform and support companies and professionals; · exchange with government departments; · create consumer awareness; · ensure media coverage; · act and influence; and · organise authentication trainings with authorities in charge of fighting against counterfeiting (mainly customs, but also police, gendarmerie, judges)

Germany: APM - German Anti-Counterfeiting Association. Founded by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the Federation of German Industry (BDI) and the German Brands Association (Markenverband), the Aktionskreis gegen Produkt- und Markenpiraterie e.V. (APM) (German Anti-Counterfeiting Association) aims to promote adherence to rules protecting intellectual property, to protect business from the violation of such rules, and to combat crime in that area. Its members are well-known companies from a variety of different sectors. APM advocates for adequate legislation, raises public awareness and fosters the exchange of experiences.

Germany: Markenverband - German Brands Association. Founded in 1903 by leading German branded consumer goods manufacturers in their fight against unfair competition, the German Brands Association, Markenverband, today represents some 380 branded goods and services companies with an annual turnover of c. €350 billion. It is AIM’s National Association in Germany. Markenverband’s activities cover a broad spectrum, from political lobbying for a brand-friendly legal and competitive environment, including freedom of advertising and effective IP protection, to member services like workshops and conferences on relevant issues. Markenverband represents its members on questions of general concern before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, the German Customs Organisation and in the Advisory Committee of the German NIC (DeNIC) on the TLD .de. Amongst other issues, especially important fields of work are the fight against counterfeits and look-alikes, unfair competition and competition law and also CSR and consumer policy

Italy: INDICAM- Italian Anti-Counterfeiting Group. INDICAM represents over 160 companies, industry associations, law and IP firms, security consultants and other organisations engaged daily against counterfeiting activities that hit branded products. INDICAM is active in Italy and internationally, in developing IP rights and anti-counterfeiting awareness and culture and in lobbying for better anti-counterfeiting legislation and its stricter enforcement. Side-by-side support and work with police forces, customs and other authorities is a common duty for the association, as well as training and innovation in the fight against fakes. INDICAM is the sister organisation to Centromarca, AIM’s National Association in Italy.

Russia: RusBrand – Russian Association of Branded Goods Manufacturers. RusBrand, the non-profit Association of Branded Goods Manufacturers in Russia, was established in spring 2002 by more than 20 leading consumer goods manufacturers and is AIM’s National Association. It is the first large-scale effort in Russia to unite both Russian and international manufacturers to further their interests and serve as the voice of the branded goods industry. To date, RusBrand has 54 member companies working to create an environment of fair and vigorous competition, fostering innovation and guaranteeing maximum value to consumers. RusBrand in many ways represents a positive new era in the Russian business - a stable, growing, economy where businesses can function in a more principled, open environment.

Spain: ANDEMA - Spanish Anti-Counterfeiting Group.  Founded in 1989 by the Spanish High Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, ANDEMA is a non-profit business association, composed of 60 industrial and intellectual property rights owners of a wide range of sectors including clothes, shoes, leather, jewellery, foodstuffs, wines, spirits, beauty products, telecommunications, tobacco, hotels, pallets, toys and taps. ANDEMA seeks to defend intellectual and industrial property rights at any level, for which it carries out some lobbying activity. ANDEMA is very active in the fight against counterfeiting, cooperating in educational programs and in public awareness campaigns. ANDEMA also deals with other fields of activity relevant to intellectual and industrial property rights: fiscal fraud, parallel trade, electronic trade, unfair competition, trade marks and innovation and design.

Switzerland: Promarca- Swiss branded goods association. Founded in 1929, Promarca defends the interests of almost 100 branded consumer goods companies in Switzerland by strengthening and protecting the values attached to brands within the context of a fair market. Promarca, which is AIM’s National Association, promotes awareness of the value of brands and the importance of their protection, including counterfeiting, imitation and infringement. It defends the interests of its members in the legislative process via common positions and constructive dialogue, supporting free and fair competition.

Turkey: BMD - United Brands Association. The Birlesmis Markalar Dernegi of Turkey (BMD - United Brands Association) is a non-governmental organisation of the Turkish retail sector. Founded in September 2001, BMD consists of the most valuable Turkish and international retail brands from several categories of retail, such as ready-to-wear, shoes, leather, furniture, home textile, opticians, cosmetics, household appliances, communication and electronics. BMD’s strategy is to ensure the transformation of Turkey into the branded economy by increasing the strength and retail skills of their brands. In this context, the struggle against product counterfeiting and the protection of its members' brand values are crucial for BMD.

United Kingdom: The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG). The ACG represents the interests of around 200 companies in 30 different countries. ACG works through high profile media campaigns, roadshows, and conferences to change society’s perception of counterfeiting and to underline the damaging economic and social cost of fakes. ACG lobbies all levels of government, from local to international, for more enforcement resources and to bring in the necessary legislation to protect society from the increasing global threat of counterfeiting.

United Kingdom: British Brands Group. The members of the British Brands Group, the National Association of AIM, comprise many of the world's leading brand manufacturers, all committed to ensuring that brands and their contribution to consumers, society and the economy are understood and reflected in UK policy. While building a deeper understanding of brands is the Group's primary role, it also represents its members collectively when regulatory or commercial issues arise that may inhibit the ability of brands to deliver their benefits.

European Level Associations

Business Europe : BUSINESSEUROPE - the Confederation of European Business. BUSINESSEUROPE is the leading advocate for growth and competitiveness at European level, standing up for companies across the continent and campaigning on the issues that most influence their performance. A recognised social partner, it speaks for all-sized enterprises in 35 European countries whose national business federations are BUSINESSEUROPE’s direct members.

Cosmetics Europe: Cosmetics Europe - The Personal Care Association. Cosmetics Europe is the European trade association representing the interests of the cosmetics industry. Its membership consists of 27 national associations of the EU Member States and beyond, 16 active international companies, 4 supporting association members, 2 supporting corporate members and 3 correspondent members. Cosmetics Europe represents more than 2000 companies throughout the EU via the active representation of its member national associations.

European Crop Protection Association: ECPA - European Crop Protection Association. The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) acts as the ambassador of the highly innovative, R&D-driven crop protection industry in Europe and represents the industry's European regional network. Its membership consists of 20 multinational companies and 32 national associations all over Europe. ECPA promotes modern agricultural technology in the context of sustainable development, one which protects the health of humans and the environment, and, in doing so, seeks to build understanding of the industry’s role on why pesticides are needed, recognition of the contribution towards an affordable healthy diet, competitive agriculture and high quality of life, and uphold informed dialogue about ECPA’s views, values and beliefs.

European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). The EFPIA represents the research-based pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 33 national pharmaceutical industry associations and 40 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA is the voice on the European scene of about 2,000 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing to patients new medicines that improve health and the quality of life around the world. EFPIA has the broad objective of improving the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe in a regulatory and political environment which above all stimulates R&D and rewards innovation.

European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX). As the voice of the European textile and clothing industry, EURATEX's main objective is to create an environment within the European Union which is conducive to the manufacture of textile and clothing products. The major areas of concern to EURATEX over recent years have been: to promote a further expansion of the EU exports of textiles and clothing; to promote legislation and its application in the field of intellectual property; to support measures which enhance environmental protection but which are at the same time acceptable to the industry; and to disseminate economic and statistical data to the membership.

Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI). The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) represents the interests of approximately 1800 sporting goods manufacturers (85% of the European market), through its ten National Sports Industry Federations and directly affiliated member companies. The European sporting goods industry directly and indirectly employs over 640,000 citizens in the EU. FESI covers a wide range of policy areas, particularly the fight against the production and sale of counterfeit goods. The FESI Intellectual Property Rights committee focuses on copyright, trade mark rights, design rights, patent rights and trade names.

Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE). The Interactive Software Federation of Europe, represents the European video game industry which produces entertainment and educational software for use on personal computers, game consoles, portable devices and mobile phones. It is the fastest growing content sector in Europe. ISFE helps the video game industry reach its full potential throughout Europe and worldwide by securing effective legislation to protect intellectual property rights, adequate enforcement of such legislation and unrestricted access to markets, both off-line and on-line.

Toy Industries of Europe (TIE). Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) is the trade association for the European toy industry. TIE provides a unique source of information both for and on the toy industry in Europe. The toy industry is highly international and is one of the most dynamic business sectors in Europe. Over 99% of the sector is composed of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which have less than 50 employees. Members of TIE include companies as well as national associations from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the Nordic region. TIE membership is open to both companies with a presence in Europe and national associations from European Union Member States (including candidate countries).

International Level Associations

International: BIEM - Bureau des Sociétés gérant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mécanique. BIEM is the international organisation representing mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies exist in most countries. They license and collect royalties on the reproduction of songs (including musical, literary and dramatic works). Their members are authors, composers and music publishers. They also license the mechanical rights in downloading and streaming music via the Internet. BIEM represents 55 societies from 59 countries and promotes the interests of its member societies, particularly in forums relating to authors' rights.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The ICC is the voice of world business championing the global economy as a force for economic growth, job creation and prosperity. ICC activities cover a broad spectrum, from arbitration and dispute resolution to making the case for open trade and the market economy system, business self-regulation, fighting corruption or combating commercial crime.

Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy(BASCAP). BASCAP aims to highlight the problems and dangers of counterfeiting at the highest political level. BASCAP unites the global business community to identify and address IP rights issues more efficiently and to petition for greater commitment by local, national and international officials. By delivering compelling messages from industry executives, BASCAP underscores the severity of the problem and compels governments, the public and the media to take action and ensure that intellectual property is respected and protected. The ICC’s Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau operates as an international anti-counterfeiting organisation with members in more than 50 countries throughout the world.

International Music Industry Association (IFPI). IFPI represents the recording industry worldwide with over 1300 record companies in 66 countries and affiliated industry associations in 55 countries. IFPI's priorities are fighting music piracy, promoting fair market access and adequate copyright laws, helping develop the legal conditions and the technologies for the recording industry to prosper in the digital era and promoting the value of music in the development of economies, as well as in social and cultural life.

International Video Federation (IVF). The members of the International Video Federation (IVF) are companies which are involved in all areas of the audiovisual industry (development, production, distribution, etc.) as well as entities dedicated to, and specialised in, the distribution of audiovisual content on physical carriers (DVD and VHS) and/or over digital networks, including the Internet.

Motion Picture Association (MPA). The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves the interests of major motion picture companies, home video and television industries in the global marketplace. The MPA (working with local Content Protection Organisations) investigates and reports on activities infringing intellectual property rights, assists with the resulting criminal and civil litigation to protect their copyrights, and conducts educational outreach programs to teach movie fans around the world about the harmful effects of copyright theft. The member film studios in aggregate are the largest investors in the European film industry, as well as investing in local co-productions, acquiring local productions and carrying out a wide array of post-production work here. These activities generate thousands of jobs each year in Europe.

EGEDA: EGEDA is a non-profit association and collection society that provides services to audiovisual producers and the audiovisual industry as a whole. It represents and defends the interests of audiovisual producers worldwide, and is very active in the field of intellectual property rights management, as well as in the fight against piracy; these are the fundamental objectives of our association.

Corporate Members

1. Bacardi Martini
2. Beiersdorf
3. Burberry
4. Chanel
5. Colgate-Palmolive
6. Danone
7. Diageo
8. Estée Lauder
9. Ferrero
10. GSK
11. Heineken
12. Henkel
13. Hewlett-Packard
14. Kellogg
15. Lacoste
16. Lego
17. L’Oréal
18. LVMH
19. Mars
20. Microsoft
21. Mondelēz
22. Nestlé
23. Nike
24. Pernod Ricard
25. Philips
26. Procter & Gamble
27. Reckitt Benckiser