BASCAP case study database: Limited technology transfer

Counterfeiting and piracy harm society in many ways that are not easily understood. For example, companies are less likely to transfer technology to countries which have poor intellectual property enforcement as trade secrets are more at risk and the products are therefore more likely to be counterfeited.
This page is a special summary of cases that reveal where counterfeiting and piracy have limited technology transfer. Each reference has been extracted directly from a story archived in the BASCAP Case Study Database. For further research, the full article can be found by clicking on the associated endnote.

Study reveals India’s piracy secret - India, 10 April 2008

A recent study by Ernst & Young India suggests that the country may not be the safe investment destination it claims, and where Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is concerned very little assistance is provided by local authorities; 776

Investment into India re-directed due to IP laws - India, 25 August 2007

India ’s Intellectual Property (IP) laws may have cost the country €90 million after Novartis announced that it would re-direct its record breaking investment dollars elsewhere; 715

Piracy worth over $1 billion in Mexico - Mexico, 3 July 2007

A new report from the International Alliance for Intellectual Property has revealed Mexico has the fourth largest counterfeit goods market, behind only Russia, China and Italy; 704

Software piracy discourages investors in Philippines – Philippines, 8 March 2007

The high levels of software piracy in the Philippines are scaring off investors from many multinational companies looking to manufacture software in the country; 652.

Counterfeit backpacks cause Philippines lost investment – Philippines, 1 June 2006

VF Corp., whose brands include Wrangler Jeans, Lee, Nautica and Eastpack, has shelved plans to invest in manufacturing facilities in the Philippines for its Jansport backpacks because of widespread counterfeiting there; 147.

German Companies Feel Effects of Chinese Counterfeiting – China, 1 January 2005

"The widespread failure to honour intellectual property rights reduces China’s attractiveness as an investment destination and damages the reputation of Chinese firms as trustworthy business partners."; 193.

Auto part counterfeit fears in Taiwan - Taiwan, 1 September 2004

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has warned that the country’s lucrative the auto parts manufacturing industry, which generated exports of nearly NT$110 billion last year was could be badly hit if the growing problem of counterfeit parts in the country caused US and European companies to boycott Taiwanese-made car spares in protest; 244.

Lost investment into India due to counterfeiting – India, 1 February 2004

French media and communications giant Vivendi Universal has said that it will not invest in India so long as the problem of counterfeiting, especially in music and DVDs, continues; 273.

Counterfeits Could Cause Eveready to Reduce Production in Kenya – Kenya, 1 November 2003

Eveready Batteries Limited could reduce its production in Kenya because of countering and import dumping; 413

Counterfeiting Could Cause Companies to pull out of the Philippines – Philippines, 1 November 2002

The Brand Protection Association (BPA), a coalition of multinational corporations operating in the Philippines, is calling for tougher government action against counterfeiting and warned that if the situation continues unabated some firms could be forced to pull out of the Philippines; 291.

Pressure group warns of export losses due to counterfeiting in Turkey
– Turkey, 1 July 2001

Selcuk Guzenge, the Chairman of the Registered Trademark Association (TMD), a pressure group set up to tackle the import and production of counterfeit products has issued a stark warning that unless concerted action is taken against the $300 to $500 million market for fake products it will be impossible for the manufacturers of the genuine items to sell their goods in the country; 335.

Merger deal failure partially due to counterfeiting – USA, 1 October 1996

One of the reasons which is believed to have contributed to the breakdown of negotiations was Haas Wheat’s discovery of a lawsuit which was settled in December 1993 in which allegations had been made that when Lekach was President of Perfumania the company had sold counterfeit fragrances; 260.

Thailand faces loss of G.S.P benefits – Thailand, 1 June 1989

Thailand faces the prospect of the loss of considerable Trade Benefits for its failure to protect United States Intellectual Property; 402.