Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America
www.spp-psp.gc.ca
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Getting the Straight Goods
Most people think of counterfeit goods as a few luxury handbags and novelty t-shirts sold as "knock-offs" on street corners with little cost to legitimate commerce, individuals or society. Think again. Fake products today range from auto parts and medicines to toys, cigarettes and electronic goods. Peddled by organized crime groups, revenue from such goods sometimes funds terrorist activities. These products have negative consequences for the economy, industry and government, as well as posing public health and safety hazards.
Through a program called "Fake Free North America," authorities in Canada, the United States and Mexico are addressing how to combat the growing proliferation of counterfeit goods in the region. Under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), the countries are developing a coordinated strategy aimed at enhancing the detection and deterrence of counterfeiting and piracy, expanding public awareness of the issue and developing ways to measure the magnitude of the problem and progress to combat it.
The cooperative efforts address a growing concern over such types of intellectual property theft. Protecting intellectual property is key to sustaining an innovative economy and promoting trade and investment. There are many international conventions related to the protection of intellectual property rights, some dating back more than a century.
The SPP complements existing Canadian efforts on the issue, from investigations of counterfeit pharmaceuticals to outreach activities that inform people about the dangers of counterfeit products, the implications of pirating and the best ways to identify fakes. The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network (CACN) estimates that $20 to $30 billion in counterfeit goods are sold in Canada annually, posing a drain on the economy and risks to consumers, who may be harmed by drugs, toys, electrical and food products that do not meet Canadian safety standards. The CACN and the RCMP recently participated in a poster campaign, presentations and media interviews to raise awareness about the issue.
Further reading:
Industry Canada Copyright Board
Industry Canada Intellectual Property Office
Heritage Canada Copyright Section
The RCMP's Intellectual Crime website
The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network
