IP Investigations

"IP theft deemed the crime of the 21st century"

The pirating of Intellectual Property (IP) is one of global concern to any business and here at MK Executive Protection we make it our business to track down those involved by detailed investigations and business profiling to prove liability. 

With the support from IP owners towards law enforcement agencies, investigations of this nature have produced fantastic results. However, the restraints placed on such agencies such as finances and cross-country boundaries in recent times have placed a restriction on the results that can be achieved.  Law enforcement agencies are demanding a greater level of evidence of IP infringement before action will be considered.  MK Executive Protection provides a “one stop shop” in providing this evidence.

MK Executive Protection provides a unique expertise in pro-active investigations and protection of IP rights, which includes grey market, parallel trading and trade mark infringements. We are able to act as point of contact on behalf of our clients who have registered their intellectual property rights with international Customs & Excise authorities / Trading Standards to prevent the importation of pirated, counterfeit and parallel trade goods.

We work closely with our clients to identify key trends in IP infringement and tailor each investigation to our clients needs.  All investigations are undertaken in-house without the use of third party companies to protect the integrity and continuity of the evidence obtained.  MK Executive Protection has the knowledge, experience and capability to advise our clients on strategy and operational procedures to minimise risk and maximise returns.

We go beyond traditional investigations where we are able to manage full undercover operations in any jurisdiction using trained operatives with covert military or police experience and knowledge of the local area.  These investigations are managed closely in house protecting the integrity of the case and the safety of the operatives.

MK Executive Protection specialise in target recognition and profiling, asset tracking and tracing, test purchasing, surveillance and observations.

Grey Market/ Parallel Trading:

Brands are often targeted during distribution and the channels that they use, this is known as Grey market or parallel trading.  Products are diverted away from their initially intended destination and exported to another location.  MK Executive Protection is able to track and trace these through detailed investigation procedures reducing client losses.

Test Purchasing:

This is vital to achieving the best results in any IP infringement investigation. With the capability to purchase any products covertly we are able to show our clients the quality of the goods being sold and to determine the level of counterfeiting involved.

We utilise a number of identities and payment mechanisms enabling us to build a rapport with counterfeiters leading them to believe they are dealing with a genuine buyer. This enables us to accurately build a business profile on those suspected of selling counterfeited goods and adds weight when proving liability.