In conjunction with its participation this week at the biannual A+A conference in Dusseldorf, the world’s leading market and communication trade fair for occupational safety and health,

DuPont Protection Technologies has reaffirmed its global efforts to defend against unauthorized and illegal use of its trademarks, especially when counterfeiters jeopardize the safety of end-users.

As the owner of iconic brands such as DuPont Kevlar, DuPont Nomex and DuPont Tyvek, DuPont has handled over 700 cases of trademark infringement in the last year, including 19 counterfeit cases. Most of the cases are resolved extra-judicially, however more than two-dozen cases around the world have already been closed through successful legal actions.

In the same timeframe, more than a dozen companies have signed new licensing agreements with DuPont authorizing their use of the DuPont Kevlar brand, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a statement said, adding that many customers and licensees continue to innovate with the company’s world-renown advanced materials.

“In order to protect the value of our brands and the safety and durability they represent, DuPont takes trademark infringement and fraudulent use of its brands very seriously,” said Giselle Ruiz-Arthur, DuPont corporate trademark and copyright counsel.

“We have a very effective strategy to combat the problem through a global brand protection steering team that can quickly identify cases to be addressed and take action.”

Some of the recent actions the company has taken include training customs officers to recognize illegitimate labelling to help seize counterfeits, working with appropriate authorities to conduct raids, and moving to take down websites that promote illegitimate products.  In one instance, the company reported identified counterfeiters selling fake protective apparel in the oil and gas industry to consumer protection agencies around the world.

DuPont is a member of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), a Washington-based non-profit organization representing the interests of more than 250 member companies concerned with counterfeiting and piracy. The members of the IACC include many of the world's best-known brands across all product sectors. According to the IACC website, in fiscal year 2014, the Department of Homeland Security seized counterfeit goods valued at over $1.2 billion at the U.S. border. The trafficking of counterfeit goods is much larger at the international level and growing.

"Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime and can result in serious harm to consumers. It is critical that those companies whose products are related to health and safety take action to protect the public," said Candice Li-Uzoigwe, IACC vice president for global public affairs. "Counterfeiting is a global problem that requires a global solution. We applaud DuPont for its international efforts to address counterfeiting."

As part of its brand-strengthening activities, this year DuPont has entered new licensing agreements, aligning with other well-recognized brands that not only want to use the DuPont Kevlar brand, but also innovate with the technology to launch new products, including: Reebok apparel and footwear; adidas footwear; Dewalt workwear; and Prestone cooling system products. – TradeArabia News Service