China Blackmarket Affecting New Zealand Brands
MEDIA RELEASE
28 May 2013
While China is a challenging market to operate in and requires strong relationships and networks, it is a hugely valuable market to the natural products industry.
Unfortunately, counterfeiting and black-market selling in China and other markets is rife and highly damaging to New Zealand brands.
NPNZ urges its members to take expert advice regarding the protection and enforcement of their intellectual property through a reputable company and NPNZ’s close relationship with James & Wells Intellectual Property provides that opportunity.
While those protections cannot guarantee that counterfeiting will not happen it is an important first step. Companies are advised to look for their own brand frequently via internet checking and to have trusted contacts within their distribution networks in China or elsewhere to monitor the situation.
NPNZ is confident that the Ministry for Primary Industries and other relevant government departments will do all they can to tighten legislation in New Zealand to prevent illegal exports of members’ products.
This is not a problem unique to New Zealand. Counterfeiting in China particularly has long targeted the branded goods sector and involves global brands – but NZ needs to do what it can to protect its image.
-ENDS-
For more information contact:
Alison Quesnel, Executive Director of Natural Products New Zealand:
P: +64 3 577 8676 / 021 415888
E: [email protected]
or
Liane Donovan, Donovan Public Relations:
P: (09) 522 7125 / 027 2227348
E: [email protected]
