Intellectual property protection firm IP House and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their partnership in addressing intellectual property (IP) crime. The agreement marks a significant step in public-private collaboration, reflecting the growing need for coordinated efforts to counter increasingly complex threats to IP rights.
The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation between IP House and UKIPO, focusing on supporting investigations into illicit trade and digital piracy, as well as broader enforcement activities aligned with UKIPO’s mission. The partnership aims to connect resources and facilitate information sharing across the anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, biopharmaceutical, and anti-piracy sectors. Both organizations have committed to responsible data handling in accordance with applicable laws.
Andy Cooke-Welling, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at UKIPO, commented on the development: “As part of the UKIPO’s commitment to develop and deliver closer collaborative partnerships to combat IP crime under its Counter Infringement Strategy, we are delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with IP House.”
Jan van Voorn, CEO of IP House, also welcomed the agreement, stating, “We are grateful to the UKIPO for taking this proactive step and excited about what we can accomplish together. This kind of public-private partnership is exactly what is needed to effectively address the increasingly sophisticated nature of IP crime. By working closely with UKIPO, we can better connect intelligence, resources, and expertise to deliver meaningful enforcement outcomes and strengthen protections for brands, creators, and consumers across the UK and beyond.”
The UKIPO partnership adds to IP House’s expanding portfolio of formal collaborations with enforcement authorities worldwide. Recognizing that IP crime often transcends borders, IP House has made building trusted relationships with government and law enforcement agencies a central element of its global strategy. The company emphasizes that no single organization can address these challenges alone.
The timing of the MOU is notable, coming just days after IP House and the Digital Citizens Alliance released a report titled "Organized. Piracy. Crime." The report documents the evolution of large-scale digital piracy into a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise, with connections to drug trafficking, money laundering, and other serious transnational crimes. The findings underscore the need for coordinated, intelligence-led public-private collaboration—the very approach embodied by the new agreement.
Through this partnership, both IP House and UKIPO reaffirm their commitment to advancing enforcement capabilities via responsible information sharing and closer alignment of investigative, analytical, and operational efforts. As IP crime continues to evolve on a global scale, dedicated partnerships such as this are seen as critical to bridging gaps across jurisdictions and among stakeholders.
The MOU is expected to facilitate more effective responses to the challenges posed by IP crime, supporting the protection of brands, creators, and consumers in the UK and internationally.