Image source: http://brandconnectix.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/CustomerLoyalty.jpg
Fraud comes in many different forms. The last thing you want is a knock-off product reaching the hands of a loyal consumer. This could ruin their experience and make them decide to never use your brand again. Fraud can also have a huge impact on lost profits and affect any business model from a short or long-term point of view.
Protecting your brand can be executed in several ways. You can use some simple or technical ways to find out instantly if someone is trying to defraud all your hard work.
With the digital age growing massively, it might seem impossible to protect your online content. However, there is help on hand.
Google Alerts
If you have a Google email address or a Google webmaster account, you can set up live alerts. This means if your brand name is mention on another website, Google will send you a direct message as to where this is being mentioned. If you find the content has been copied or being used without permission, you can take the necessary steps. Google has the strongest algorithm and fastest spider indexing system on the web. There resources for monitoring and storing content from the web is on an unthinkable scale. This means if your content is being used by a third party without permission, you can guarantee Google will send you an alert with 48hours of it being used.
Ref: https://www.google.com/alerts
DMCA
As a brand owner growing rapidly it may be time to trademark your logo and brand name. DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) can help you take down stolen content. You can even add a badge to your website which will help deter thieves from stealing valuable content. DMCA offers a wealth of help including Wordpress plugin, image watermark service, copyright bar, Facebook watermark, search engine monitoring and a fast 'takedown' service; for businesses that have been targeted with copyright abuse.
Ref: http://www.dmca.com/
Creative Commons
Creative Commons helps you legally share knowledge and creativity to build a more accessible world. Creative Commons provides free, easy-to-use copyright licenses to make a simple and standardized way to give the public permission to share and use your creative workon conditions of your choice. This covers video, photographs and graphics and written content.
Ref: https://creativecommons.org/
Register Your Trademark
Another important way to protect your brand, logo and name; is to get in touch with the Patent and Trademark Office. You need to seek the help of a solicitor as the forms can be complicated. Create a distinctive mark or product as common words or simple graphics may be rejected as they too generic. It might also be a good idea to think on a global level. This could be costly in the long run.
Ref: https://www.uspto.gov/
UV printing protection
Packaging suppliers and manufacturers can also offer help with the final product lines. UV printing techniques can hide hidden messages, logos or graphics. This can help you determine if the product is counterfeited. A UV torch or lamp can be used to check pallets of imports to see if your product is the real deal.
Imports of counterfeit and pirated goods are worth nearly half a trillion dollars a year, or around 2.5% of global imports, with US, Italian and French brands the hardest hit; and many of the proceeds going to organised crime, according to a new report by the OECD and the EUs Intellectual Property Office. Source.
Consumer health is also important. Phony items may have toxic ingredients or simply fall short of any packaging standards. This can be seriously hazardous and cause skin irritations, rashes or other medical problems.
Ref: https://www.raepak.com/product-decoration/
