We thank all of the participants for contributing and sharing their expertise with us. Member companies are randomly chosen each month to participate as a way to connect and educate our member community. To view our previous member spotlights, click here.
Eric Rosaler
AED Investigations, Inc.
President
Aventura, FL, USA
Can you provide your top 2 best practices for protecting IP?
With Investigations, be efficient and get results, while treating the brand’s interests with the highest standards of diligence and professionalism. Work hand and hand with the brand owner during the investigation period from the start of the investigation until the end of the investigation.
How do you show your clients the value of brand protection?
Results is the best value I can show my clients the importance of protecting brands. Being there through the entire investigation process is the most important aspect of my job for my clients. I try to resolve cases in a way that brings tangible results to my clients so that they can properly realize the benefits in the results they will receive from enforcing their IP rights. I feel rewarded in helping stop the fight against counterfeiting.
What hobbies or causes are you passionate about?
I am passionate about exercising, playing tennis, boxing, running, & staying healthy. My amazing wife and 2 young daughters have motivated me do always do my best.
What are the top 2 challenges in IP enforcement you see affecting your industry over the next year?
Obtaining successful prosecutions of counterfeiters will continue to pose challenges for brands due to law enforcement’s resource limitations and competing priorities. In order for brands to have the best chance for a law enforcement referral to be actioned, they need to marshal the best evidence possible and commit to continuing case support. As online marketplaces diversify and expand, the ability of counterfeiters to sell counterfeit goods will continue to similarly diversify and expand.
What are your top 2 recommendations to a brand that is building up its IP enforcement program?
Building a great network of thought leaders, peers, and vendors is one of the most important things a brand building its IP enforcement program can do. This network should include building law enforcement relationships as well.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Be authentic in both your personal and professional lives, and don’t burn bridges.
What are your top 2 recommendations to a brand that is building up its IPenforcement program?
Understand your challenges and reach out to organizations like IACC, Chambers of Commerce, and solution providers. Capitalize on their experience and learn from others to enable your brand to focus on product excellence.
Next, it is important to build a program that has layered protection. It is not enough to only have a web-crawler looking for sites selling fakes or putting a hologram on a box. Combining physical and digital efforts will give you the ability to not only identify product violations but begin to assemble data that enables proactive measures to protect against future events.
How do you show your clients the value of brand protection?
The importance of brand protection is often overlooked and undervalued until your brand is violated resulting in a loss of revenue or reputation. Without the ability to know what we don’t know, such as lost sales to counterfeiting or reputational damage, brand protection has an intangible yet very real value. In a certain sense, a strong brand protection program is an insurance policy protecting a group from having its sovereignty violated by outside actors. A proactive approach to preventing fraud reduces the likelihood of significant reputational damage, invalid warranty claims being paid, and lawsuits for products that do not perform.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
My father once told me, “The key to success is sincerity. Once you learn to fake that, you have got it made”. I know, not really the best advice. My first boss was adamant that while good news travels fast, bad news needs to travel faster. Addressing negatives in our work and lives must be done immediately; that’s the best time to try and turn bad into good! It takes a lifetime to build a reputation but only one bad article or incident to ruin an empire.
Can you provide your top 2 best practices for protecting IP?
My two best practices for protecting intellectual property on the digital world include:
Remove Online Traffic to Infringing Content: Instead of solely relying on takedown notices, prioritize proactive measures to prevent access to infringing content. Removing infringing content from Social Media and Search Engines will make illegal content almost nonexistent in those internet services known for its lenient policies toward infringing content and its resistance to process takedown requests.
Collaborate with your Sales Teams to monitor your distribution: This collaborative approach can help identify and address IP violations more effectively while also preserving business relationships with your current distributors and clients.
How do you show your clients the value of brand protection?
To demonstrate the value of brand protection to clients, Smart Protection goes beyond traditional online brand protection and anti-counterfeiting services. Our approach offers tailored solutions such as combating parallel importation, controlling online distribution and MAP policies, eliminating unauthorized sales (testers and samples) or executing court orders in the digital world. By addressing these critical issues, we safeguard brand's integrity, reputation, and revenue streams. Our 360ª strategy not only protects your brand online but also ensures airtight defenses across the entire digital landscape, showcasing our commitment to preserving your brand's value and customer trust.
What hobbies or causes are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about outdoor sports and activities that connect me with nature. Camping offers a chance to disconnect and unwind, while climbing and alpinism provide the thrill of conquering new heights. Skiing combines speed and serenity on snow-covered slopes. Additionally, I have a keen interest in mushroom picking, exploring the forest for edible treasures. These hobbies not only keep me physically active but also allows me to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the outdoors with my family and friends.
