Brandholder Anti-Counterfeiting Forum

Chairperson:                  Raj Pather (Brand Protection Manager – Nike South Africa)

Vice Chairperson:         Johann Guldenpfennig (Brand Protection Manager – Skye Distribution)

The Brandholder Anti-Counterfeiting (BAC) Forum is a newly launched Forum, established to encourage collaboration between brandholders to address common issues such as counterfeiting, relationships with law enforcement agencies, lobbying and advocacy, and training sessions.

Objectives:

1. To address cross-cutting issues experienced by brandholders.
2. To lobby government in terms of pressing matters.
3. To engage with law enforcement agencies to establish a valid working relationship, and open channels of communication.

Past Speakers have included:

• Raj Pather, Brand Protection Manager at Nike, on the Forum’s collaboration with the City of Johannesburg (COJ) to fight counterfeiting
• Mohamed Ally, member of the SARS Custom Unit at O.R. Tambo (ORT) International Airport, on the counterfeit procedures at ORT
• Rita Viljoen, Senior State Advocate at the National Prosectuing Authority (NPA) on “The Specialised Crime Unit (SCCU) and IP crimes – the decision to prosecute or not”
• Jarred West and Mohamed Khader, Spoor & Fisher on “A Legal perspective on fighting counterfeiting in South Africa”
• Magauta Mphahlele, Acting Ombud at the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO), on the CGSO’s mandate
• Joe van Der Walt, CEO at Focus Africa, on “The Intelligence Approach – Fighting Counterfeiting in Africa”
• Braam Schoeman, Brand protection Manager: Africa at S.C. Johnson & Son, on “A discussion on anti-counterfeiting measures in Africa”
• Freek van Rooyen, Partner: Trade, Energy & Transport Division at Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys on “The Border Management Authority Bill: Will it enhance trade?”
• Amanda Lotheringen, Senior Manager: Copyright and IP Enforcement at the CIPC, on “Fragmented Enforcement Strategies”

Copies of these presentations can be accessed here.

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