HP has announced that it has joined the Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) global leadership group as part of the company’s commitment to fight counterfeiting worldwide.
Formed by the International Chamber of Commerce, BASCAP says that it aims to unite the global business community to more effectively identify and address intellectual property rights issues and petition for greater commitments by local, national and international officials in the enforcement and protection of those rights.
As a group member, HP will support BASCAP’s efforts to connect and mobilise businesses across industries, sectors and national borders, as well as pool resources and expertise, to combat counterfeiting. In this way, BASCAP expects to create a greater critical mass than any single company or sector could do alone. Jeff Hardy, BASCAP coordinator, International Chamber of Commerce, says, “The International Chamber of Commerce is extremely pleased to have HP join the BASCAP initiative, especially as counterfeit consumer electronics continue to be a significant international problem. Having HP join with BASCAP members from other industries will help us generate greater awareness for the harms of counterfeiting across sectors and will amplify our message with both policy makers and consumers.”
HP says it has invested in anti-counterfeiting practices for nearly a decade and has long been committed to protecting its intellectual property. Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Inkjet and Web Solutions business, Imaging and Printing Group, HP, says, “The manufacturing and illicit sale of counterfeit products is a global problem that spans across many industries and shows no signs of slowing down, especially during tough economic times. We are eager to exchange ideas, key learnings and best practices with other BASCAP members in an effort to strengthen global anti-counterfeiting efforts.”
