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About Us

View the CACN Membership Brochure – English | French

The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network (CACN) is a coalition of individuals, businesses and associations that have united in the fight against product counterfeiting, fraud and copyright piracy in Canada and abroad.

Chair: Rob Whalen
Co-Vice Chair: Lisa Deere, UL
Co-Vice Chair: Paul Stella, Toyota
Past Chair: Lorne Lipkus, Lipkus Law

OUR VISION: To eliminate counterfeit, fraud, and copyright piracy in Canada.

OUR MISSION: To connect, educate, and advocate for brand owners to detect, respond to, and prevent counterfeiting, piracy, and fraudulent activity.

MEMBER BENEFITS:

  • Networking & Knowledge Exchange: Gain access to resource guides for brand owners, shared tips, trends and industry best practises. Build your network with leading service providers and  brand protection experts, law enforcement, customs, policy makers and other brand owners.
  • Education & Training: educate & train law enforcement and customs to detect, prosecute, and prevent counterfeiting, piracy and fraudulent activity.
  • Advocacy & Awareness:Raise awareness among policy makers, law markers, and customers of the economic and safety impact caused by counterfeiting, piracy and fraud.

WHY WE DO THIS:

Counterfeiting has become a huge, highly-organized, global criminal activity including forced labour and human trafficking. Over a decade ago, counterfeit goods were limited in volume and variety – but today, they have escalated to unprecedented levels. Counterfeit and pirated products extend across many categories.

Types of Commodities Commonly Seized as of 2019*

(#s in parenthesis refer to HR Codes)

*Source 2021 European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) / Organization for Econominc Development (OECD) Global Trade in Fakes

Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods amounted to approximately 2.5 % of world trade in 2019. Many of these illegal products pose a serious threat towards consumer health, safety and environmental risks.  Counterfeiting and piracy undermine legitimate businesses, depriving companies of revenue and affecting their brand reputation.  It also has a negative impact on innovation, laws and governance.

The Covid 19 pandemic has created a dramatic increase in online sales of counterfeits.  64% of counterfeits are shipped via the mail and 13% through express courier.*

Places of Origin of Counterfeit Goods Seized by Customs 2019*