01 May 2018
Thomas Parrott, Managing Director of Beachbody UK is delighted to have inspired MP, Bim Afolami to join the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Intellectual Property (IP).
Thomas, who is also Vice Chair of The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) met the MP for Hitchin and Harpenden at a Meet Your MP event, hosted by the Alliance for IP in July 2017.
“British IP Day was the perfect opportunity to meet my new local MP, Bim Afolami at Westminster and speak to him directly about the issues faced by brands and the importance of protecting IP. Like many companies, Beachbody faces the challenge of counterfeiters attempting to violate our brand, our products and our identity. It is illegal to sell fake products. However, fraudulent counterfeiters continually attempt to exploit the Beachbody brand and benefit from the fame and success we’ve achieved.
“Bim was really interested in IP but wanted to do more. That’s why he joined the APPG for IP. Without engaging Members of Parliament, I do not understand how a brand can justify that it is doing all it can, to raise the decibel level on the importance of protecting IP. The economic consequences of failing to continue to drive this message, not only to the individual company, but also the economy and prosperity of MP’s local area and the United Kingdom have not been lost on any MP I have discussed this with. Indeed, I have yet to meet an MP from any party who does not wish to hear more about how they can support brands residing in their constituency.”
The APPG for IP is chaired by Pete Wishart MP and offers parliamentarians a resource to learn more about IP, its role in stimulating creativity and economic growth and the harm caused when IP is not properly respected and protected.
This year, the Meet Your MP event will be held on Wednesday 4 July. If you are an ACG member and want to be involved contact admin@a-cg.com
ACG represents more than 3,000 brands affected by this influx of fakes into the UK and delivers an international network of information, advice and contacts on all aspects of IP protection. Working with Government and law enforcement agencies since 1980, ACG is focused on providing an effective and sustained response to counterfeiting.
Membership with the ACG is the best way to work with government and enforcement bodies to protect your brand. Our Roadshows and training days help you reach out to police, trading standards and border force officers and tell them about your genuine products.