The latest updates, announcements, and stories from the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network.
Following a yearlong investigation dubbed "Project Prada," the Surrey Police Service arrested one person and seized an estimated $6.6 million worth of suspected counterfeit sports jerseys, clothing, handbags, jewellery, and luxury goods — after receiving a tip from CACN.
Read moreThe Global Legal Post launched the third edition of the Law Over Borders comparative guide to Anti-Counterfeiting, co-edited by Lipkus Law co-founder Lorne Lipkus and IP specialist Melissa Tarsitano. The guide provides practical guidance on protecting brands against counterfeiting and grey market activities across key jurisdictions worldwide, covering criminal and civil enforcement, border measures, and emerging online threats including AI-assisted counterfeiting. Lipkus emphasizes that only through collaboration between rights holders, industry partners, governments, and brand protection professionals can the ever-growing challenge of counterfeiting be met.
Read moreToronto Police executed search warrants at a Mississauga warehouse and seized more than 16,000 counterfeit name-brand jerseys and flags with an estimated street value exceeding $3.5 million — the largest seizure of counterfeit soccer jerseys ever recorded in Canada. The investigation was initiated with assistance from Lipkus Law, a CACN member.
Read moreJuly 11, 2023, the RCMP launches their first addition to Open Government Portal for accessing details on fraud reports. Online reports are created by the information received by the public.
CACN has developed an online training module, designed to educate police officers, crown attorneys and customs officers about counterfeit and piracy-related crimes – and the critical role they play.
CACN and Western Union are holding a preliminary meeting on March 24, 2022 (virtual) to discuss the scope and objectives of the 'Project Gemini' Working Group, which will bring together a cross-section of partners.
Yahoo Finance/National Post profiles Pacific Mall in Markham, Ontario — repeatedly named on the U.S. Trade Representative's list of "Notorious" marketplaces for counterfeit goods — and examines Canada's broader IP enforcement challenges. The article features CACN's Robert Whalen, who notes the mall has improved significantly through sustained brand-owner enforcement and more engaged mall management, though Canada remains on the USTR's watchlist alongside countries with poor intellectual property protections.
Read moreBlue Line Magazine profiles CACN chair Robert Whalen and the network's efforts to train law enforcement officials across Canada — free of charge — on combating counterfeiting and IP crime. The article highlights the public safety stakes of counterfeit goods, from fake pharmaceuticals to counterfeit auto parts linked to fatalities, and outlines CACN's MEET (Mitigate, Educate, Enforce & Train) events, with the next session scheduled at Toronto Police College.
Read moreToronto Police charged the owner of an Etobicoke import/export business after executing four search warrants and seizing 16 tractor-trailer loads of counterfeit goods — including toys, makeup, sunglasses, and household appliances — worth $2.5 million. The investigation was triggered by consumer complaints of rashes from fake cosmetics and overheating appliances. Three people were arrested, and one raid coincided with an international anti-counterfeiting conference being held in the same building.
Read moreToronto Police charged the owner of three Kitchen Queen stores after approximately 300 gas ovens imported from India were sold with counterfeit Canadian Standards Association safety certificates. The ovens lacked basic safety features, with some fitted with improper hardware and no gas regulators — posing serious fire and explosion risks. The investigation, led by Det. Robert Whalen as part of Project Borderline, recovered roughly 100 of the unsafe appliances, with firefighters and emergency responders placed on alert for potential incidents.
Read moreA joint investigation involving eight law enforcement agencies and private sector partners resulted in the arrest of 11 people and the seizure of over $3 million in counterfeit goods — including electronics, prescription drugs, cosmetics, and children's toys — in one of the largest seizures in Toronto Police Service history.
Read moreIn what CityNews described as the biggest flea market raids in Canadian history, Toronto Police executed 91 search warrants simultaneously at three of the country's largest flea markets — Pickering Markets, Downsview Park Merchant's Market, and Dr. Flea's in Etobicoke — seizing millions of dollars in counterfeit goods including toys, jewellery, and clothing. 55 Division Sgt. Robert Whalen led the operation, with anti-counterfeiting lawyer Lorne Lipkus highlighting the public safety risks of untested counterfeit toys and the links between counterfeit goods and organized crime.
Read moreWestern Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, has joined CACN as a new member. Western Union seeks to disrupt financial flows relating to counterfeit goods.
It will take a community of partners to drive national IPR governance. The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network (CACN) has formed an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement Working Group.
Calling all law enforcement and customs agents: enlist CACN to train your staff on counterfeit and pirated goods, so you can protect Canadians by getting counterfeit goods out of circulation.
Over the past 9 months, 300+ shipments of counterfeit goods have been detained by Canadian customs. Protect your brand by submitting an RFA form at no cost.
Buyer beware: COVID-19 scams and products are on the rise. In the midst of a global pandemic, fraudsters are facilitating scams worldwide. These products may be dangerous to your health.
Crime Stoppers wants your tips on who's selling things like fake makeup or electrical goods at a pop-up store or elsewhere. They might hurt you, burn you — maybe even kill you.
Read the press release about CACN's plans and opportunities for the year ahead.
