Latest news with #BPP
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Tencent Launches 2024 Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report Reinforcing Global Leadership in Digital IP Protection
SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent today releases its annual Weixin Brand Protection Report, demonstrating continued progress in tackling counterfeiting and intellectual property (IP) abuse. The report highlights how Weixin has strengthened its enforcement capabilities in 2024 through innovative solutions, proactive measures, and expanded collaboration with brand owners. These efforts have continued to reduce and make more difficult any misuse of Weixin by bad actors engaged in illicit activity, across both private and public-facing features. Weixin is a unique, multifaceted communication service that consists of private and public features like direct messaging, group chats, Official Accounts, and third-party Mini-Programs. Many of the world's leading brands collaborate with Weixin through its Brand Protection Platform (BPP). This demonstrates Weixin's dual value for brand protection and a powerful connection with consumers. "We're proud of the progress Weixin has made this year in strengthening our tools, mobilizing our user communities, and expanding partnerships to tackle counterfeiting both online and offline," said Danny Marti, Head of Global Public Policy at Tencent. "These efforts help brands connect with consumers more confidently, while advancing the authentic experiences that power the global digital economy." Highlights from the 2024 Report 1. Building Trust Through Community-Driven Enforcement Weixin's industry-first crowdsourced reporting system of this scale continues to set new benchmarks for addressing counterfeit activity in private channels such as direct messages and group chats. In 2024, more than 98% of all takedown actions in private chats and 99.9% of takedowns in group chats originated from crowdsourced user submissions, demonstrating the power of community-led enforcement 2. Proactive Protection at Scale Weixin has ramped up proactive measures in public-facing features. Tools like automatic keyword interception and strict account registration blocked thousands of suspicious activities daily. In 2024, Weixin proactively shut down more than 120,000 livestreaming rooms and removed more than 22,000 infringing short videos. These proactive measures by Weixin amounted to 3x more livestreaming rooms identified for punitive measures (rooms "shut down") over brand and user reporting combined. This evidences an effective "front end" proactive enforcement system, leaving less reporting opportunities for our partners. New reporting tools, including specifically mobile-enabled and bulk submission features, further accelerated enforcement and have provided enhanced "ease of use" in direct response to feedback provided by our partners. Additionally, Weixin's new 'Anti-Counterfeiting Classroom' campaign also helped educate users identifying and reporting counterfeit goods, while serving as an important public service campaign to warn users about the dangers and prohibited nature of counterfeit goods on Weixin. 3. Expanding Offline Enforcement and the Brand Protection Community Weixin's IP protection efforts extended into the offline space through partnership with brands and collaboration with law enforcement. In 2024, Weixin supported 29 major offline cases, a 20% increase in case volume and a 15% rise in case value—reaching USD 300 million. Overall, 190 suspects were identified during the year. The BPP now supports over 640 brands across more than 30 industries and 20 countries, up from 570+ in 2023 - reinforcing Weixin's role as a trusted partner for global brands seeking effective IP protection and enforcement. Fostering a Global IP Ecosystem That Drives Creativity and Innovation The 2024 Weixin BPP Report highlights Tencent's leadership in positioning intellectual property as a foundation for innovation in both digital and AI-driven environments. Through the strategic use of copyrights, patents, and trademarks, Tencent has become both a catalyst for creativity and a trusted partner to global brands. "At Tencent, we believe in building a healthy, vibrant global IP ecosystem that transcends boundaries and empowers creators to collaborate without limits," added Danny Marti, Head of Global Public Policy at Tencent. "Our approach enables authentic experiences and fosters sustainable industries that properly reward original thinking and build lasting goodwill among consumers and communities alike." Tencent's broader IP vision goes beyond commercial protection to embrace sustainable development—nearly 25% of its IP portfolio aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, earning recognition from WIPO and LexisNexis for leadership in sustainable innovation. Through collaborations with entertainment giants, luxury labels, sports and lifestyle brands, among many others, Tencent continues to redefine digital experiences, showing that a strong IP ecosystem not only protects creativity, but also unleashes its full transformative potential. To view the full 2024 Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report, please visit . About Tencent Tencent is a leading global technology and entertainment company with a diverse portfolio of products and services—spanning communication networks, entertainment platforms, and enterprise solutions. Delivering on our mission "Value for Users" we create connections and experiences that matter for individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide. At the heart of our ecosystem is WeChat and Weixin, connecting over one billion users to family, friends, brands, and merchants. Tencent Video and Tencent Music bring premium TV, cinema, sports, and music experiences to millions, while Tencent Games has created some of the world's most popular and beloved video game franchises. Driven by our mission to harness "Technology for Good," we are committed to addressing global challenges and creating lasting value for our users, partners, and society. As a proud supporter of the 147th Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA), Tencent celebrates the vital role of intellectual property in fostering creativity, innovation, and enterprise. Together, we are building a future where technology and IP work hand in hand to drive progress and enrich lives.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Tencent Launches 2024 Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report Reinforcing Global Leadership in Digital IP Protection
SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent today releases its annual Weixin Brand Protection Report, demonstrating continued progress in tackling counterfeiting and intellectual property (IP) abuse. The report highlights how Weixin has strengthened its enforcement capabilities in 2024 through innovative solutions, proactive measures, and expanded collaboration with brand owners. These efforts have continued to reduce and make more difficult any misuse of Weixin by bad actors engaged in illicit activity, across both private and public-facing features. Weixin is a unique, multifaceted communication service that consists of private and public features like direct messaging, group chats, Official Accounts, and third-party Mini-Programs. Many of the world's leading brands collaborate with Weixin through its Brand Protection Platform (BPP). This demonstrates Weixin's dual value for brand protection and a powerful connection with consumers. 'We're proud of the progress Weixin has made this year in strengthening our tools, mobilizing our user communities, and expanding partnerships to tackle counterfeiting both online and offline,' said Danny Marti, Head of Global Public Policy at Tencent. 'These efforts help brands connect with consumers more confidently, while advancing the authentic experiences that power the global digital economy.' Highlights from the 2024 Report 1. Building Trust Through Community-Driven Enforcement Weixin's industry-first crowdsourced reporting system of this scale continues to set new benchmarks for addressing counterfeit activity in private channels such as direct messages and group chats. In 2024, more than 98% of all takedown actions in private chats and 99.9% of takedowns in group chats originated from crowdsourced user submissions, demonstrating the power of community-led enforcement 2. Proactive Protection at Scale Weixin has ramped up proactive measures in public-facing features. Tools like automatic keyword interception and strict account registration blocked thousands of suspicious activities daily. In 2024, Weixin proactively shut down more than 120,000 livestreaming rooms and removed more than 22,000 infringing short videos. These proactive measures by Weixin amounted to 3x more livestreaming rooms identified for punitive measures (rooms 'shut down') over brand and user reporting combined. This evidences an effective 'front end' proactive enforcement system, leaving less reporting opportunities for our partners. New reporting tools, including specifically mobile-enabled and bulk submission features, further accelerated enforcement and have provided enhanced 'ease of use' in direct response to feedback provided by our partners. Additionally, Weixin's new 'Anti-Counterfeiting Classroom' campaign also helped educate users identifying and reporting counterfeit goods, while serving as an important public service campaign to warn users about the dangers and prohibited nature of counterfeit goods on Weixin. 3. Expanding Offline Enforcement and the Brand Protection Community Weixin's IP protection efforts extended into the offline space through partnership with brands and collaboration with law enforcement. In 2024, Weixin supported 29 major offline cases, a 20% increase in case volume and a 15% rise in case value—reaching USD 300 million. Overall, 190 suspects were identified during the year. The BPP now supports over 640 brands across more than 30 industries and 20 countries, up from 570+ in 2023 - reinforcing Weixin's role as a trusted partner for global brands seeking effective IP protection and enforcement. Fostering a Global IP Ecosystem That Drives Creativity and Innovation The 2024 Weixin BPP Report highlights Tencent's leadership in positioning intellectual property as a foundation for innovation in both digital and AI-driven environments. Through the strategic use of copyrights, patents, and trademarks, Tencent has become both a catalyst for creativity and a trusted partner to global brands. 'At Tencent, we believe in building a healthy, vibrant global IP ecosystem that transcends boundaries and empowers creators to collaborate without limits,' added Danny Marti, Head of Global Public Policy at Tencent. 'Our approach enables authentic experiences and fosters sustainable industries that properly reward original thinking and build lasting goodwill among consumers and communities alike.' Tencent's broader IP vision goes beyond commercial protection to embrace sustainable development—nearly 25% of its IP portfolio aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, earning recognition from WIPO and LexisNexis for leadership in sustainable innovation. Through collaborations with entertainment giants, luxury labels, sports and lifestyle brands, among many others, Tencent continues to redefine digital experiences, showing that a strong IP ecosystem not only protects creativity, but also unleashes its full transformative potential. To view the full 2024 Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report, please visit About Tencent Tencent is a leading global technology and entertainment company with a diverse portfolio of products and services—spanning communication networks, entertainment platforms, and enterprise solutions. Delivering on our mission 'Value for Users' we create connections and experiences that matter for individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide. At the heart of our ecosystem is WeChat and Weixin, connecting over one billion users to family, friends, brands, and merchants. Tencent Video and Tencent Music bring premium TV, cinema, sports, and music experiences to millions, while Tencent Games has created some of the world's most popular and beloved video game franchises. Driven by our mission to harness 'Technology for Good,' we are committed to addressing global challenges and creating lasting value for our users, partners, and society. As a proud supporter of the 147th Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA), Tencent celebrates the vital role of intellectual property in fostering creativity, innovation, and enterprise. Together, we are building a future where technology and IP work hand in hand to drive progress and enrich lives. View original content: SOURCE Tencent
Cision Canada
19-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Tencent Launches 2024 Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report Reinforcing Global Leadership in Digital IP Protection
SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2025 /CNW/ -- Tencent today releases its annual Weixin Brand Protection Report, demonstrating continued progress in tackling counterfeiting and intellectual property (IP) abuse. The report highlights how Weixin has strengthened its enforcement capabilities in 2024 through innovative solutions, proactive measures, and expanded collaboration with brand owners. These efforts have continued to reduce and make more difficult any misuse of Weixin by bad actors engaged in illicit activity, across both private and public-facing features. Weixin is a unique, multifaceted communication service that consists of private and public features like direct messaging, group chats, Official Accounts, and third-party Mini-Programs. Many of the world's leading brands collaborate with Weixin through its Brand Protection Platform (BPP). This demonstrates Weixin's dual value for brand protection and a powerful connection with consumers. "We're proud of the progress Weixin has made this year in strengthening our tools, mobilizing our user communities, and expanding partnerships to tackle counterfeiting both online and offline," said Danny Marti, Head of Global Public Policy at Tencent. "These efforts help brands connect with consumers more confidently, while advancing the authentic experiences that power the global digital economy." Highlights from the 2024 Report 1. Building Trust Through Community-Driven Enforcement Weixin's industry-first crowdsourced reporting system of this scale continues to set new benchmarks for addressing counterfeit activity in private channels such as direct messages and group chats. In 2024, more than 98% of all takedown actions in private chats and 99.9% of takedowns in group chats originated from crowdsourced user submissions, demonstrating the power of community-led enforcement 2. Proactive Protection at Scale Weixin has ramped up proactive measures in public-facing features. Tools like automatic keyword interception and strict account registration blocked thousands of suspicious activities daily. In 2024, Weixin proactively shut down more than 120,000 livestreaming rooms and removed more than 22,000 infringing short videos. These proactive measures by Weixin amounted to 3x more livestreaming rooms identified for punitive measures (rooms "shut down") over brand and user reporting combined. This evidences an effective "front end" proactive enforcement system, leaving less reporting opportunities for our partners. New reporting tools, including specifically mobile-enabled and bulk submission features, further accelerated enforcement and have provided enhanced "ease of use" in direct response to feedback provided by our partners. Additionally, Weixin's new 'Anti-Counterfeiting Classroom' campaign also helped educate users identifying and reporting counterfeit goods, while serving as an important public service campaign to warn users about the dangers and prohibited nature of counterfeit goods on Weixin. 3. Expanding Offline Enforcement and the Brand Protection Community Weixin's IP protection efforts extended into the offline space through partnership with brands and collaboration with law enforcement. In 2024, Weixin supported 29 major offline cases, a 20% increase in case volume and a 15% rise in case value—reaching USD 300 million. Overall, 190 suspects were identified during the year. The BPP now supports over 640 brands across more than 30 industries and 20 countries, up from 570+ in 2023 - reinforcing Weixin's role as a trusted partner for global brands seeking effective IP protection and enforcement. Fostering a Global IP Ecosystem That Drives Creativity and Innovation The 2024 Weixin BPP Report highlights Tencent's leadership in positioning intellectual property as a foundation for innovation in both digital and AI-driven environments. Through the strategic use of copyrights, patents, and trademarks, Tencent has become both a catalyst for creativity and a trusted partner to global brands. "At Tencent, we believe in building a healthy, vibrant global IP ecosystem that transcends boundaries and empowers creators to collaborate without limits," added Danny Marti, Head of Global Public Policy at Tencent. "Our approach enables authentic experiences and fosters sustainable industries that properly reward original thinking and build lasting goodwill among consumers and communities alike." Tencent's broader IP vision goes beyond commercial protection to embrace sustainable development—nearly 25% of its IP portfolio aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, earning recognition from WIPO and LexisNexis for leadership in sustainable innovation. Through collaborations with entertainment giants, luxury labels, sports and lifestyle brands, among many others, Tencent continues to redefine digital experiences, showing that a strong IP ecosystem not only protects creativity, but also unleashes its full transformative potential. To view the full 2024 Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report, please visit About Tencent Tencent is a leading global technology and entertainment company with a diverse portfolio of products and services—spanning communication networks, entertainment platforms, and enterprise solutions. Delivering on our mission "Value for Users" we create connections and experiences that matter for individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide. At the heart of our ecosystem is WeChat and Weixin, connecting over one billion users to family, friends, brands, and merchants. Tencent Video and Tencent Music bring premium TV, cinema, sports, and music experiences to millions, while Tencent Games has created some of the world's most popular and beloved video game franchises. Driven by our mission to harness "Technology for Good," we are committed to addressing global challenges and creating lasting value for our users, partners, and society. As a proud supporter of the 147th Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA), Tencent celebrates the vital role of intellectual property in fostering creativity, innovation, and enterprise. Together, we are building a future where technology and IP work hand in hand to drive progress and enrich lives.
Associated Press
16-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Border Briefs Launch: New Series Highlights the Complexities and Opportunities of the U.S.-Mexico Border
The presentation is part of the event Voices and Visions from the Border: A Data Driven Dialogue SAN ANTONIO, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) announces the release of Border Briefs, a landmark series of publications that explores the border's pressing challenges and untapped opportunities. Created in collaboration with esteemed borderlands scholar Dr. Paul Ganster of San Diego State University, the Border Briefs offer in-depth, evidence-based insights on six core themes shaping life and policy in the region: Health, Environment, Education, Migration, Philanthropy, and Border Dynamics. To mark this milestone, the BPP will host an official launch event on May 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, bringing together public, private, and civic sector leaders committed to fostering cross-border collaboration. The event will take place at North American Development Bank (NADBank), in the third-floor ballroom. Registration is free. Visit: The program will begin with opening remarks by John Beckham, Managing Director of the North American Development Bank. Andy Carey, Executive Director of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) will present the Border Briefs, highlighting the key findings and aspirations behind the project. A moderated panel discussion, led by Elaine Ayala, Metro Columnist at the San Antonio Express-News, will follow—featuring insights from: This event serves as both a celebration and a call to action, bringing together changemakers to explore new models of cooperation and shared investment in the future of the borderlands. 'The border is often misunderstood, too often seen only through the lens of crisis,' said Carey. 'The Border Briefs aim to challenge that narrative with real data, local voices, and constructive pathways forward—amplifying the truth that solutions exist and collaboration is possible.' Event sponsors include North American Development Bank (NADBank) and Arca Continental Southwest Beverages. About the Border Briefs The Border Briefs include six topical research briefs on the realities of the U.S.-Mexico Border including general interest, education, environment, migration, public health, and philanthropy. We set out to create the Border Briefs to dispel myths about our region, as well as provide important knowledge and information about our region to member stakeholders to bring more vital resources to our communities. About Dr. Paul Ganster Dr. Paul Ganster is director of the Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias at San Diego State University. He is the author of numerous articles, chapters of books, and edited works related to border regions. Recent publications include The U.S.-Mexican Border Today: Conflict and Cooperation in Historical Perspective (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2016) and with Kimberly Collins, 'Binational Cooperation and Twinning: A View from the US–Mexican Border, San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Baja California' (Journal of Borderlands Studies, 32:4, 2017). His ongoing research is on management of the binational Tijuana River Watershed, air quality at border crossings, crossborder collaboration, the binational problem of used tires, and sustainable tourism in the peninsula of Baja California. He has been a Fulbright professor in Costa Rica and a visiting professor at the Autonomous University of Baja California in Tijuana. He received his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ganster is chair of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, a federal panel that advises the president and congress on the border environment. He is also chair of the Committee on Binational Regional Opportunities (COBRO) of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). In 2016, he was recognized with the Association for Borderlands Studies (ABS) Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, the Autonomous University of Baja California awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa for his scholarly work in the binational region and for his work linking UABC and SDSU. Also in 2017, Tijuana Innovadora recognized him in the induction ceremony to the Paseo de la Fama / Walk of Fame at the Palacio Municipal of Tijuana for his binational leadership. About the BPP The BPP is a binational membership organization whose mission is to support a network of organizations that build prosperity through leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Border region. For more information about the BPP, please visit: Media contact: Susana Villegas [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership
CNA
06-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Nail care firms appeal against jail for director after breaching consumer protection orders
SINGAPORE: Two businesses under nail salon chain Nail Palace on Tuesday (May 6) appealed against the jail term given to their managing director for failing to comply with court orders to protect consumers. Managing director Kaiden Cheng appealed to have his four-month jail term replaced with a S$10,000 (US$7,700) fine, or reduced to five days' imprisonment. Justice Audrey Lim reserved her judgment after hearing arguments on whether the nail salons had done enough to inform customers of their past unfair trade practices and make up for the breach of court orders. Nail Palace (BPP) and Nail Palace (SM) were originally taken to task for unfair trade practices over the sale of anti-fungal treatment packages. This included misleading a consumer over the need for anti-fungal treatment, and failing to inform a consumer that certain lip products were not free but included in the price of an anti-fungal treatment package. In August and September 2022, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) obtained injunctions to stop both businesses from these unfair practices. A district court ordered both businesses to publish a notice of the declarations and injunctions against them in four major Singapore newspapers by Aug 18, 2023. For a period of two years, the businesses were also supposed to inform customers that they had engaged in the unfair practices and obtain customers' written acknowledgement of this before entering into contracts with them. However, the businesses failed to comply with these requirements. In a first, CCCS took them to court for breach of the orders, and they were found guilty of contempt of court in September 2024. Mr Cheng was sentenced to jail while Nail Palace (BPP) and Nail Palace (SM) were each fined S$15,000 (US$11,500), which they have paid. On Tuesday, Mr Cheng's counsel argued that both businesses had made concerted efforts since the contempt of court finding to comply with the orders, and that this remedied the breach and demonstrated their remorse. The steps they took included publishing the required notices in four major newspapers on Jan 28 and implementing a new consumer notification form from Jan 24, said lawyer Gary Low of Drew & Napier. Even if these actions to comply with the orders came late in the day, Mr Low argued they could be allowed by the court. He urged Justice Lim to give them "heavy consideration" and reduce Mr Cheng's sentence. Mr Kenny Chooi of Adsan Law, who acted for CCCS, argued that a jail term for Mr Cheng was warranted by his businesses' repeated breach of the court orders. Parliament's intention behind the provision for court orders under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is to raise consumer awareness, allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, give consumers the right to decide whether they want to transact with an errant retailer, monitor errant businesses and act as deterrence, said Mr Chooi. These intentions point to the types of harm caused when court orders are breached. It meant that customers were deprived of the ability to make informed decisions about Nail Palace for the period of the breach, he argued. He pointed out that there was a period of about two-and-a-half years between the original court orders given to Nail Palace in September 2022 and the steps the businesses took in January. Parties also disagreed on whether Nail Palace's new consumer notification form satisfied the court orders. Mr Chooi, the CCCS lawyer, argued that that the orders were not satisfied because the forms were only brought to customers' attention after a portion of the nail services had already been performed. This was based on affidavits by two CCCS officers stating that when they visited the two Nail Palace branches in February and March, they were not shown the forms until after their manicures or pedicures had already started. When Mr Low - Kaiden Cheng's lawyer - countered this by claiming that only "preparatory acts" for the nail services had started, Justice Lim questioned him on whether buffing nails and applying basecoats were not part of manicures and pedicures. At one point, she asked: "What's the meaning of a manicure or pedicure? Can you please tell me? Means apply the paint only, is that it?" Mr Chooi also cited the CCCS officers' description of how Nail Palace staff had told them to "just sign at the bottom" of the form and did not explain what it was for, but claimed that it was required by the government. This would give a false impression that a signature was mandatory and put pressure on the customer to sign the form, he argued. Mr Chooi said these practices did not comply with the "substance, purpose and spirit" of the court orders but were merely a "box-ticking exercise".
