The FEMP, the SPTO and ANDEMA sign an action protocol to spread the project ‘Authenticity’ throughout Spain

Fight against the sale of counterfeit products

The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), the SPTO and the Association for the defense of the brand (ANDEMA) signed an action protocol on April 23rd 2019 with the aim of publicizing, promoting and simplifying the launch of the project ‘Authenticity’ throughout Spain.

This project, propelled by Spain, Italy and France, was born in 2015 with the intention of recognizing those local governments who carry out active policies to fight against the sale of counterfeit products and raise public awareness about the value of the local legal trade and the industrial property. ‘Authenticity’ was chosen by the EUIPO as an outstanding project in the field of the fight against counterfeiting in municipalities. Furthermore, it gained international support at the EUIPO Administrative Council (held in November 2018) becoming, this way, a European cooperation project, widely supported by Spain.

As this agreement points out, by signing it the three institutions ‘assume the need of promoting the project knowledge by local entities, as well as simplifying the sing of agreements between the SPTO, the entity in charge of the project development in Spain in cooperation with the EUIPO, and the municipalities that may be interested and meet the established requirements.’

The ANDEMA General Director noted that ‘cities are a key element to fight against the sale of counterfeit products. They are the framework where trade is developed and, therefore, it should be protected at local level through the application of laws, the cooperation between the public sector and Trademarks holders and the undertaken of actions allocated to fight against its distribution and sale. This will create a new environment that will help to raise awareness about the damages that the consumption of counterfeit products may cause.’

In the words of the SPTO Director, this protocol means ‘the beginning of a fruitful relation between the public sector, both state and local, and the private sector destined to continue progressing in the bet for a legal quality trade which respects the rights of all the involved parties, included consumers, and has in municipalities and cities a key element to raise awareness and act.’

‘Authenticity’ highlights the importance of different factors such as the city image, sensitivity when it comes to trade, public information and awareness-raising, police training, and the chase and sentence for the crime of selling counterfeit products. Its goal is to create a network of European cities which cooperate for the defense of industrial property and trade in order to improve its perception. We would like to underline that it is a flexible project, that adapts to the idiosyncrasy of each country and city. The first cities that have reached the status of ‘Authenticities’ are Malaga, Alicante, Paris, Rome and Cervia (Italy), we hope that many others will join them soon.