Counterfeiting is no longer just a nuisance—it’s a trillion dollar global problem affecting businesses of all sizes. From luxury brands and pharmaceuticals to FMCG and electronics, counterfeit products flood markets, leading to revenue loss, reputational damage, and customer distrust.
Selecting the right brand protection provider is a critical step in securing your business against these threats. But with many options available, how do you ensure you're making the right choice?
This guide presents 11 key questions to help you evaluate brand protection providers, ensuring their solutions align with your needs and offer effective, scalable, and technology-driven protection against counterfeiters.
1. What Industries Do You Specialize In?
Some providers focus on luxury goods, pharma, FMCG, or electronics.
Ensure the provider has experience handling counterfeit threats in your industry.
📌 Example: A luxury watch brand may require AI-powered image detection, while a pharmaceutical company needs serialization and track-and-trace solutions.
2. Do You Offer Online and Offline Protection?
Online threats: Fake websites, counterfeit listings, social media scams.
Offline threats: Physical counterfeits, supply chain leaks, grey market diversion.
The best providers offer comprehensive protection across all channels.
📌 Factory Visit: Ensure the provider can demonstrate their technology in action by visiting an existing customer’s facility where their authentication solutions are already deployed.
3. How Does Your AI-Based Monitoring Work?
Does it scan e-commerce platforms, social media, and the dark web?
How frequently does the system flag counterfeit threats?
Can it automate counterfeit takedowns?
📌 Case Study: A sportswear brand used AI to detect and remove 10,000 fake product listings in 3 months.
4. Can Your System Detect Fake Websites Using Our Brand Name?
Some fraudsters create fake franchise websites to scam potential business partners.
Look for domain protection and automated takedown capabilities.
📌 Example: An EV manufacturer detected and took down 500 fraudulent websites selling fake dealership licenses.
5. Do You Provide Real-Time Counterfeit Detection?
How quickly does the system flag and report threats?
Does it send instant alerts to take action before fake products flood the market?
6. What Track & Trace Technology Do You Offer?
Serialization, blockchain, and QR authentication help track product movement.
This ensures supply chain transparency and consumer verification.
📌 Example: Pfizer used serialization to track legitimate medicines and stop fakes from entering the market.
7. How Effective Are Your Takedown & Enforcement Services?
Do they provide legal assistance for counterfeit enforcement?
How many counterfeit removals have they successfully completed?
📌 Success Story: A luxury handbag brand partnered with a provider and removed 50,000 counterfeit listings in one year.
8. Can Consumers Verify Products Using Your Solution?
QR codes and mobile verification allow customers to check product authenticity.
This increases customer trust and engagement.
📌 Example: An FMCG company reduced counterfeits by 80% using QR authentication.
9. Do You Provide Data Insights & Counterfeit Trends?
Detailed reports help businesses understand fraud patterns and strengthen protection strategies.
Does the provider offer predictive analytics to identify risks before they escalate?
📌 Factory Visit: Ask if they provide live demonstrations of their data analytics tools during factory visits to showcase real-time tracking and monitoring.
10. What’s the Cost & ROI of Your Brand Protection Services?
Compare subscription models vs. pay-per-takedown services.
Understand the ROI in terms of counterfeit prevention and revenue protection.
📌 Stat: Every $1 spent on brand protection saves companies up to $20 in potential losses (World Trademark Review).
Also read : Why Every Business Needs a Brand Protection Provider?
11. Do You Offer Factory Visits to Assess Implementation?
Can the provider arrange visits to existing customers' facilities where their solutions are active?
Seeing the technology in action helps brands understand real-world effectiveness.
📌 Example: A global electronics manufacturer evaluated a brand protection provider by touring a factory where their serialization and QR-based authentication were fully implemented. The visit helped them understand the seamless integration into supply chains.
Conclusion: Choose Wisely to Secure Your Brand
The right brand protection provider can save millions in lost revenue and legal costs.
Asking these 11 questions ensures you choose a partner that aligns with your brand’s needs.
