About us
ACTA-GM (Anti Counterfeiting Trade Africa & Greater Maghreb) is a non-profit association dedicated to the fight against counterfeiting and illicit trade, as well as thepromotion of intellectual property in the Great Maghreb and Africa. It responds to the growing challenges linked to the profound changes in the African continent and the need to curb new practices of counterfeiters and traffickers, who now produce more locally, upsetting trade and legal balances. We therefore, after consulting the local authorities and rights holders, have created ACTA-GM
Why ACTA-GM
Mutations
Following successive crises at the international level, Africa and the Mediterranean are experiencing major economic, social, technological and legal upheavals.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the recent conflict in the Middle East, counterfeiters and traffickers have been able to adapt at a lightning speed, Taking advantage of these geopolitical upheavals to reorganize and intensify their illicit activities.
Challenges
Counterfeiters are constantly adapting their methods, taking advantage of the instability and opportunities offered by an area where too few organizations are really dedicated to intellectual property and anti-counterfeiting.
Taking advantage of the new opportunities offered by emerging technologies, counterfeiters are constantly adapting their methods, making the fight against counterfeiting ever more difficult.
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Report
The observation is clear all categories of products whether they are tangible or not, whether they are copyright and neighbouring rights, industrial products, cosmetics, luxury products, food products, medicines… all are now concerned.
Requirements
It is essential to grasp the regional specificities, pool resources and bring together private and public actors as well as regional and international bodies. By uniting our efforts, we can anticipate developments, better combat fraud and counterfeiting, protect consumers, promote intellectual property, knowledge and cultural heritage, while promoting the emergence of virtuous economies, innovative and sustainable.
Mission and Strategic Objectives
Federate and Mutualize
Bring together rights holders, strategic partners and authorities to work towards a common approach to IP protection.
Set up cooperation arrangements throughout the Mediterranean basin, in order to multiply the impact of actions and address cross-border challenges.
Study of local needs for authorities and rights holders, including all sectors of activity as well as tangible and intangible goods.
Anticipate
Take into account the resulting geopolitical and geostrategic upheavals, as well as the rapid development of new technologies on the African continent.
Closely monitor the adaptation of counterfeiters to these new realities, in order to stay ahead of their illicit innovations.
Implement strategies by sectors of activity identified by members and studies carried out DPI, Copyright and neighbouring…
collaborate
Work closely with customs, law enforcement, courts, … as well as WIPO, EU, OAPI, ARIPO, EUIPO, UNESCO, offices and other international bodies.
To be effective, we must ensure that we are acting in a coherent manner, that we exchange reliable information on a regular basis and that we coordinate with the institutions concerned at a high level. It is also essential to adapt our strategies to local circumstances and circumstances.
Raise awareness & train
Raising awareness among the general public, businesses, governments and consumers of the impacts of counterfeiting on health, economy, security and culture is essential,
The deployment of training, colloquia, seminars and technical and legal workshops to strengthen the skills of key actors and disseminate proven practices is essential for achieving concrete results on the ground.
Key role of ACTA-GM
Access to key contacts
Facilitate the connection between key players in the area to reduce costs and delays,
Centralization of information
Provide a single window for businesses and authorities throughout the area,
Statistical Study and DATA
Actively participate in the development and benefit from the studies and information produced by the association, in order to have a thorough and updated expertise.
Sharing of experiences
Encourage the pooling of resources and collective action to create a IP-friendly ecosystem.
Seminar and training
Organization of seminars and training for authorities and officials, exchange programmes to promote the transfer of knowledge and skills.
Support
Request for intervention in Customs and advice, organization of signature of propocoles and local collaborations,…
ACTA-GM will be an essential point of reference in the fight against counterfeiting, thanks to a powerful exchange portal, targeted training and an increasingly strong institutional presence.
This approach will build a virtuous economy, resistant to counterfeiting and promoting innovation in the region. A single focal point for the entire area is essential, and it is crucial to support and federate around this initiative by joining it, in order to maximize its impact.
Contact us
Got questions or ready to start a project? We’re all ears! Reach out to us today to discuss your ideas.