Gift Focus - Jan/Feb 2018 (Issue 105)

them why and note down their contact details. Only allow authorised photography and if it’s a problem, insist that organisers support you. After all, you pay thousands to rent your stand space and exhibition organisers build their reputations on your innovation. Do you tell people you don’t want to be copied? Well, why not? There’s no more powerful message on your website/ marketing material or a statement on your stand. Something along the lines of: “ All the intellectual property in our designs belongs to (your name). Any infringements will be pursued seriously”. If you discover a copy of your designs at an exhibition and you don’t have a DATED design audit trail or evidence to support your work, it’s almost impossible to take legal action or complain effectively to the show organisers; even better if this can be reinforced by a member of ACID logo. The ACID community’s message is starting to resonate as YOUR voice against design theft, especially with the latest “Spot the Copy” initiative. Do you shout loudly about copies? Using social media effectively can be a useful platform for exposing your original and an alleged copy and getting immediate results. With the advent of social media it can take moments to erode the reputation of brands that produce lookalikes. But be careful! If you make a groundless threat and accuse someone of copying and in the fullness of time it proves otherwise in the UK you can be sued yourself. Always seek some professional advice. Gaining public support by shouting about unfairness and a blatant disregard for design originality is what many are starting to do. Court action Taking someone to court isn’t as expensive as it used to be. For relatively small IP disputes (£10,000 or less) if you have to take legal action it doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune and there is access to inexpensive justice through a new small claims track. In addition, if you’re unlucky enough to be copied at an exhibition where ACID is present, you can call on our help to mediate the issue. Out of more than 4,000 interventions at various exhibitions, less than three per cent have reached a final court hearing. Imitation isn’t flattery if it costs you your business. Make sure it doesn’t happen to you. For more information, visit the website acid.uk.com AGENT REQUIRED Marbel, an exciting toy distributor established 2001 We distribute and market quality toys and gifts from great brands to various childrens markets such as traditional wooden toys, childrens gifts, educational toys, licensed toys and collectable toys - exclusively in the U.K. and Ireland. Our brands include: We already have an extensive and established account base for the area which the successful agent will be given responsibility to manage. We have had a recent overhaul of the sales structure and are now looking to recruit: SALES AGENT for the SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND To sell our quality brands into the giftware, toy shop, book shop, garden centre, visitor attractions, variety and dept. store sectors. If you have well established contacts in these sectors and are looking to compliment your existing but non-competing products we are looking for you to be our agent! We can provide strong customer service and excellent rates of commission.. Please contact joe@marbel.co.uk with a summary of your current customer base, territory covered and existing product portfolio. enquiries@intelligentretail.co.uk