At the launch of its annual IP Crime Report (September 2015), the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) highlighted the Real Deal initiative as ‘one of the key operations and partnerships that have delivered great results in 2014-15.’ The IP Crime Report also noted that reports to Crimestoppers of counterfeit goods related to markets have fallen significantly, adding, ‘It is notable that ‘market’ is the only physical location to have seen such a significant reduction in reports, which suggests that the Real Deal campaign has had a major effect in encouraging market operators to actively look out for and prohibit the sale of IP infringing goods.’

In a video address to the Anti-Counterfeiting Group Conference, the IP Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe commented:

“[On reading the IP Crime Report] I was struck by the success of the National Markets Group, to seize over 30,000 counterfeit items is impressive. Combine with success in getting almost 400 markets to commit to the Real Deal Charter and you can see the great opportunity to deliver long terms change with our market operators. Consumers, local businesses and communities all benefit from reducing the level of counterfeits at markets.”
See the full address here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IwQJu2eqsk&feature=player_embedded

Winter 2015/16.
During 2015, the Real Deal campaign continued to go from strength to strength, thanks to the endorsement and backing from our many partner organisations, and the financial support provided by our sponsors (see below) and OHIM, the EU Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs); plus, of course, the work, on the ground, of the individual local authorities, trading standards officers and market operators who have implemented the Real Deal Charter this year. Continue reading →