Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Has Been Revamped

1. About the Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign

Counterfeit products (illegal products that violate trademarks or other intellectual property rights) continue to harm consumers and they are distributed and sold using more elaborate and malicious strategies, including worldwide distribution via the Internet, and other methods. In order to eliminate counterfeit products, it is important to inform people not to buy them and increase consumers' awareness through awareness-raising activities. Therefore, the JPO has been holding the Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign aimed at consumers.

2. About the mascot character and campaign slogan

In order to inform more people not to buy counterfeit products—particularly those in their 20s or 30s who frequently make online transactions and are likely to become victims of counterfeit product sales—, the JPO has created the mascot character “Kawanzo the otter” modeled on an otter.

Kawanzo the otter always refuses to buy counterfeit products and shares its message to consumers not to buy them as well. Hence, the character comes with the matching campaign slogan "We All Otter Be Against Counterfeit Products!"

• Mascot character Kawanzo the otter

• Campaign slogan "We all Otter Be Against Counterfeit Products!"

3. Details of the campaign

(1) Dedicated website for the campaign

The JPO will open a dedicated website for the campaign. The website will feature the mascot character “Kawanzo the otter” and include an explanation of the danger of counterfeit products and how to spot them, and the message "We All Otter Be Against Counterfeit Products!"
 
See the dedicated website here.

(2) Release of video clips for the campaign

The dedicated website will include comical video clips starring the mascot character “Kawanzo the otter” telling viewers, "We All Otter Be Against Counterfeit Products!"
 

Campaign videos "Kawanzo the otter says no to counterfeits!"

• Click here for the video in English (60 seconds ver.)
• Click here for the video in English (15 seconds ver.)

Division in Charge

Office for Intellectual Property Right Protection, International Cooperation Division, Japan Patent Office