Reducing the Harm of Counterfeits: The 2024 International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference

On September 23-25, UL Standards & Engagement partnered with INTERPOL, the Government of Curaçao and its partner the Curinde Free Trade Zone to host the 2024 International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property Crime Conference in Willemstad, Curaçao. The theme of this 17th annual event was "Reducing the Harm," with conference tracks focused on coordinating responses, aligning resources, and leveraging opportunities to overcome IP crime challenges, particularly those involving transnational organized IP crime and interrelated illicit trade activities.

The conference attracted 375 participants from more than 250 cross-sector agencies and organizations in nearly 65 countries.

Collaborating to Address Current and Emerging Threats

During the opening ceremony, Tim Rivelli, senior vice-president and chief legal officer of UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement, provided an opening address, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the public and private sector to combat the flow of counterfeit and illicit goods, and celebrating the role of the conference in facilitating such collaboration:

“The event offers excellent global connectivity and opportunities for collaboration worldwide,” Rivelli said. “As a long-time attendee and supporter of this event, I understand how it helps empower frontline law enforcement personnel, private sector stakeholders, and decision-makers to come together, discuss best practices, share insights, and explore innovative approaches.” 

Rivelli emphasized the role of the conference in helping address current and emerging threats, such as the exploitation of free trade zones by criminal networks to facilitate the illegal transit of goods, and the harm counterfeit products present to consumers when they are brought into homes, industries, and critical infrastructures.

“This Conference is not just about expanding law enforcement capabilities or providing networking opportunities. It is ultimately about reducing harm and advancing safety. Without this event and law enforcement intervention, the world would be far more dangerous,” he said.

Using Standards to Protect Free Trade Zones

On September 24, Lesley Rohrbaugh, head of insights and policy analysis at UL Standards & Engagement, moderated the panel discussion, “Deploying Standards and Certification Schemes for Free Trade Zones.”

During the discussion, panelists from TIC Council, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the International Electrotechnical Commission further discussed how criminal networks exploit the international transit of goods in free trade zones, often using these areas for assembly, processing, warehousing, repackaging, and re-labeling. Panelists shared how the development and implementation of standards and certification schemes within these zones can counteract this activity and enable the free flow of legitimate trade by promoting good governance, increased transparency, and anti-corruption practices.

A Legacy of Partnership

For 25 years, UL Standards & Engagement has collaborated with INTERPOL to develop tools that equip law enforcement to combat IP crime through training initiatives, immersive learning, applied research, knowledge transfer, and other solutions. In 2010, ULSE and INTERPOL launched the International IP Crime Investigators College, which provides global law enforcement with a free, broad-based curriculum on combatting transnational organized intellectual property crime. Since launching, the college has provided training access to more than 38,000 people from 182 countries. 

“We are a safety advocacy organization, and counterfeits represent the absence of safety," said George Borlase, Interim Executive Director of UL Standards & Engagement. "We are proud to partner and co-host with INTERPOL, the Government of Curaçao, and the Curinde Free Trade Zone to convene key stakeholders and support information sharing that will lead to solutions that leave us better protected against the harms of counterfeits.”

For more information on the International IP Crime Investigators College and our partnership with INTERPOL, visit ulse.org/anti-counterfeiting.