Philippines IPR Investigations
They have successfully investigated thousands of IPR infringements and successfully raided over 3,000+ illicit manufacturers and major importer/distributors, Philippine-wide, since 1992. And their success rate hovers at just under 98% over the last 24 years, a significant accomplishment in an industry known for significant corruption in the Philippines. Part of the reason for their high level of success is due to their unparalleled and long term broad stable of IPR informants spread throughout the sixteen cities, one municipality and adjacent provinces that make up Metro Manila, as well as many of the other major cities situated throughout the Philippines.
In addition, Western management has worked officially and closely with the Philippine NBI and PNP (the major Philippine enforcement authorities) for ten years from within the U.S. Embassy before their retirement and entry into the commercial investigative realm in 1992. Mr. Williams is currently the Committee Co-Chairman of the Intellectual Property Rights Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce, and has served as same for over twelve years.
Unlike the majority of their competition, however, OSI limits their focus to major illicit manufacturers, importers and distributors, believing that it is more cost effective to raid at this level, versus raiding small retail operations. They usually recommend serving the smaller illicit retailers cease and desist letters immediately after their larger sources of counterfeit goods are raided, versus engaging in more expensive enforcement actions against these small entities at the same time. They have an unprecedented success rate in identifying those involved in the illicit manufacture, importation and distribution of counterfeit goods, through a strong market survey program wherein they tap their broad and long term stable of IPR informants. This is usually the first step to protecting ones trademark in the Philippines if they are just setting up such an IPR protection program.
In addition, Mr. Williams speaks worldwide on the growing trend of international terrorist groups towards funding their administrative and operational requirements from the sale of counterfeit goods. This is due to the fact that the sale of counterfeit goods is a low risk, high profit venture, compared to the distribution and sale of say, illegal drugs. Please see Counterfeiting Links to Terrorist Funding Article.