Guidance: IP crime and enforcement for businesses

Intellectual Property Office

January 21

12:57 2025

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This guidance covers:

overview about IP crime and infringement across IP rights
what to do if you are accused of infringing someones IP rights
options available to address IP infringement: affordable access to justice including IPEC and private prosecutions
risks for businesses
how to report IP crime
information on UK IP Crime Group
record of damages awarded in IPEC small claims track
step by step guide to addressing IP infringement

Published 27 September 2017
Last updated 21 January 2025 +show all updates

21 January 2025
Section 3 "How to enforce your intellectual property" has been updated with new information.
13 March 2024
The members list within The UK IP Crime Group updated.
29 February 2024
Changes made to sections The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) and The Copyright Tribunal added.
28 March 2023
The UK IP Crime Group updated
16 June 2020
The UK IP Crime Group added.
15 August 2019
Record of damages awarded in IPEC small claims track updated.
3 August 2018
Record of damages awarded in IPEC small claims track added.
27 September 2017
First published.