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Piracy and counterfeiting, including DVDs, perfumes, clothing and alcohol, costs the UK economy billions of pounds and undermines the success of many of the UK's best companies.

The intellectual property (IP) crime strategy, which has been developed by the Patent Office, brings police, trading standards and customs together with brand owners, making sure that there is better sharing of intelligence. 

It will also mean improved training for front-line staff, and better co-ordination between the agencies involved in the fight against intellectual property crime.

Jaqui Smith, Industry Minister, said:

"Pirates and bootleggers cheat consumers and place a drain on our economy. We cannot and we will not simply turn a blind eye to copyright and trade mark crime."

 "Intellectual property crime is not victimless.  As well as cheating consumers, the trade in counterfeit goods costs UK companies billions of pounds and thousands of jobs every year.  That is why we are working together with industry and law enforcement agencies to clamp down on this illegal trade."

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