Managing Knowledge Distribution to Prevent Product Imitation and Counterfeiting

Product piracy poses an existential threat to many companies. Juristic property rights, which are currently dominantly discussed, do not suffice to combat this threat. The rise in cases of piracy and increasing professionalism of the counterfeiter, give ground for effective prevention methods. Based on gaps of existing approaches, the authors evaluate how knowledge modeling could design preventive measures. They develop a new approach which makes information and knowledge leaks transparent, analyzable, and controllable. The approach is based on interactions and transfers of information and knowledge between departments of a company with internal and external business partners. For this purpose, a modeling process for knowledge-intensive business interactions is used and modified. Choosing dynamic assessment questions establishes the level of risk of information and knowledge on piracy and prioritizes company specific measures. In addition, the procedure reappraises companies’ existing modes of prevention. Based on this analysis, the method helps to develop and rank measures to hinder the theft of information by pirates. The approach fills the gap in known concepts of protection, which are used only after a case of piracy has taken place. The approach also adds a new perspective in knowledge management.