Global Partners Take On IP Crime Threats at International Conference

On Sept.19-21, UL Standards & Engagement partnered with INTERPOL and the Korean National Police Agency to co-host the 15th International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Conference in Seoul, Korea.

Approximately 450 law enforcement officials and security and industry experts from 70 countries attended the conference both in person and online to discuss measures to fight IP crime and help curb the devastating effects of illicit trade on public health and the global economy. Topics covered at the conference included online piracy, money laundering, unregulated and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, women in IP, capacity building, and operational and investigative support to fight IP crime globally. 

Terrence Brady, president and CEO of UL Research Institutes and board chair of UL Standards & Engagement, spoke to a full house at the opening ceremony alongside Glenn Martindale, director of capacity building and training at INTERPOL, and Yoon Hee Keun, commissioner general of the Korea National Police Agency.

“UL Standards & Engagement is honored to co-host this event with INTERPOL and the Korean National Police Agency,” Brady said. “This conference offers a critical opportunity to understand each other’s organizations and to reflect on the ways that we can create a safer future together."

Somy Ryu, lead for Be Safe Buy Real campaign activities at UL Standards & Engagement, took part in the panel discussion, “IP Crime & Capacity Building,” along with Regional Specialized Officer Ann Kariuki from INTERPOL, and Amer Abu Ramman from the Jordanian National Police Force. Ryu also delivered a presentation written by Monica Mena, director of anti-counterfeiting activities at UL Standards & Engagement, which highlighted the organization’s anti-counterfeiting initiatives and its Be Safe Buy Real global campaign.

“IP crime is truly a global issue – one that must be addressed through collaboration from both the private and public sectors at every level,” Ryu said. “Through participating in this panel, and in this conference as a whole, we had the opportunity to share our strategies and successes, learn from other organizations, and expand our network so that we can continue collaborating as we combat the complex and ever-changing landscape of IP crime.”

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to come together with our partners and celebrate what we’ve accomplished together over the years, including the establishment of the International IP Crime Investigators College, which we developed in partnership with INTERPOL,” said David Steel, executive director of UL Standards & Engagement. “We are also reminded that the IP Crime landscape is changing daily, and there is much to do to get ahead of online and offline threats. But through our partnerships, we will be able to take on these challenges as we work together for a safer and more secure world.”