The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) has partnered with Convey Srl to begin offering its members a variety of services aimed at combating rogue websites that sell counterfeit goods.


 
The initiative aims to: 


  1. Discover and analyze the existing online threats for WFSGI member brands from domain name abuses, illegal offerings and counterfeit product sales on third-party  online platforms,

  2. remove counterfeit offerings from the major e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces and permanently banish illict  operators and sellers,

  3. shut down rogue websites and regain control of abusive domain names used and registered by third-party operators;

  4. safeguard trademarks by securing new domain name registrations being released in conjunction with new generic Top Level Domains, which are now starting to be released.


WFSGI members will be able to subscribe to the following four services on preferential terms negotiated with Convey.



  1. preliminary screenings of the actual online situation of the respective WFSGI member;

  2. enforcement activities to remove counterfeit offerings from the most prominent and damaging online marketplaces;

  3. enforcement activities to shut down abusive websites and to regain control of hijacked or otherwise illegally used domain names;

  4. safeguarding of new domain names through the registration of trademarks owned by WFSGI members at the newly established ‘Trademark Clearinghouse’.

“It has been many years since the WFSGI’s has tried to tackle counterfeits, which represent both a severe threat for the health and safety of the consumer and a huge loss for the image, the goodwill and the business related to the trademarks and products of our members,” said Robbert de Kock, Secretary General of the WFSGI. “The growing Internet platforms make the fight against trademark violations and counterfeit products more challenging then 15 years ago and with our Convey agreement we are convinced to fight them on an equal footing.”



The project has arleady been warmly received by WFSGI members, particularly in the bicycle sector. More than 10 brands are already in close contact with Convey.

“The companies who have joined the project are experiencing concrete results already”, informs Michele Provera, vice-president Internet brand protection at Convey Srl. “More than 10,000 illegal listings have already been removed in less than three months of activities”.

WFSGI members should contact Michele Provera (michele.provera@convey.it) for more information. Provera will be outlining the initiative at the WFSGI’s World Sports Forum at ISPO Munich, on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 at 2 pm. Those interested in attending should register for the event online at the link above.