At Mtshali & Associates, we specialize in anti-counterfeiting services, dedicated to protecting the intellectual property rights of our clients.
From brand identification training to conducting investigations and executing search and seizure operations, we are committed to combatting counterfeit goods effectively across Africa.
As part of a comprehensive enforcement strategy, we strongly recommend the training of law enforcement officers (consisting of customs, government and police officials) on the applicable legislation relating to counterfeit goods as well as the correct procedures to be followed when action is taken. We conduct training sessions throughout Africa regularly, to ensure that our clients' products and their latest developments achieve a 'top of mind' status.
As part of our service offering, we conduct regular complex and detailed investigations with the aim of locating the source of counterfeit goods and the supply chain thereof. The objective is to dismantle syndicate operations relating to anti-counterfeiting and other crimes. Our continental presence allows us to track and trace such operation far beyond what appears to be on the surface, often resulting in arrests, followed by rigorous civil and/or criminal litigation.
Following detailed investigations which expose the locations of the infringers in a particular market, we further conduct raids and seize all infringing products and materials used in the commissioning of intellectual property crimes. The seized products are carefully inventoried and moved to an approved counterfeit goods warehouse, pending civil and/or criminal action against the infringers. We further assist law enforcement officers in the prosecution of these matters and comply with all necessary deadlines and evidential burden.
We actively peruse online platforms in search of unauthorised advertising and selling of counterfeit goods or infringement of our clients' trade marks. We also take down all infringing pages and conduct further investigations which eventually are conducted in-market resulting in the tracing of physical locations and persons dealing in offensive conduct.
