Protecting a brand against counterfeits

Counterfeiting affects brands of every size, from luxury goods to spare parts, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The harm goes beyond lost sales: poor-quality fakes damage reputation and can pose real risks to consumers. This guide outlines how brand owners can prepare for and respond to counterfeiting in Iran.

1. Make sure your rights cover what is being copied

Enforcement depends on registered rights. Review whether your trademarks are registered in Iran for all relevant goods, and whether your logo, word mark and any local-script version are protected. Where products have a distinctive appearance, consider industrial design protection. Gaps discovered during a raid or a customs detention are much harder to fix.

2. Know the genuine product

Prepare clear documentation that distinguishes genuine products from fakes: packaging details, labels, serial numbers, security features and authorised distribution channels. This material helps authorities, marketplaces and your own staff identify counterfeits quickly and with confidence.

3. Monitor the market

Counterfeits tend to surface first in specific locations: certain marketplaces, online platforms, social media accounts or trade districts. Regular monitoring and occasional test purchases help you understand the scale of the problem and identify patterns that point to manufacturers and importers.

4. Choose the right enforcement tools

• Online takedowns for marketplace listings and social media sellers
• Customs and border measures, where available, against incoming shipments
• Action with the competent authorities against warehouses, workshops and retailers
• Civil claims for injunctions and compensation against significant infringers
• Criminal complaints for serious or repeated counterfeiting, where appropriate

No single tool is enough on its own. The most effective programmes combine quick, low-cost actions against visible sellers with targeted measures against the sources of supply.

5. Secure your supply chain

Some counterfeits originate close to home: overruns from contract manufacturers, diverted stock or former distributors who continue trading. Contracts should include clear obligations on intellectual property, confidentiality, quality control and the return or destruction of materials when a relationship ends.

6. Keep records of every action

Document each test purchase, takedown and enforcement step. A consistent record shows a pattern of infringement, supports later claims for compensation and demonstrates that you actively protect your brand, which can itself be relevant in disputes over the strength of your mark.

Where to start

If you are seeing counterfeits of your products in Iran, begin with a portfolio review and a short market assessment. Together they show where your protection is strong, where it needs reinforcing, and which enforcement steps will have the greatest effect for the resources available.

This guide is general information about intellectual property in Iran and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, contact info [at] iraniplaw [dot] com.