Building an Anti-Counterfeiting Strategy for GCC Brands
Counterfeiting in the region is increasingly organised, digital, and cross-border. Brands that respond with occasional raid actions see temporary relief; brands with layered programmes see durable market share protection.
Foundation: rights that can be enforced
Every enforcement action starts with registrable, enforceable rights. Trademark registrations covering the actual goods sold in each market, plus design registrations for distinctive product appearance, form the base layer.
Customs recordals as a force multiplier
Recording marks and contact details with customs authorities converts border officials into an always-on monitoring network. Regular training sessions and product-authentication guides dramatically improve detection rates.
Online marketplace enforcement
- Enrol in marketplace brand-protection programmes
- Monitor listings systematically, including Arabic-script variants
- Use test purchases to map supply chains upstream
- Coordinate takedowns with physical enforcement for maximum effect
Measuring what matters
seizures are easy to count, but seizure volume alone can mislead. Track counterfeit availability in target channels, pricing erosion, and customer complaints to judge whether the programme is actually working.
