The Tilleke & Gibbins Museum of Counterfeit Goods was established in 1989 at the firm's office in Bangkok, Thailand. However, long before that time, the firm already had in hand the main prerequisites to start a museum in the form of a large volume of counterfeit and pirated goods accumulated over the years from raids conducted on behalf of the firm's clients. The goods, which were used as evidence in court, were then stashed away in boxes, taking up valuable storage space and serving no purpose whatsoever. With the collection growing rapidly, it became apparent that a way should be found to take advantage of the counterfeit goods and turn them from the liability they were posing to a useful purpose.
The idea of creating a museum took root when Tilleke & Gibbins senior partner David Lyman visited the offices of Anthony R. Gurka, principal partner of the Hong Kong investigative firm then called Commercial Trademark Services (CTS). Through Mr. Gurka's efforts, beginning in the early ’80s, CTS had successfully built up an internal collection of infringing goods. Upon seeing the CTS collection, it occurred to Mr. Lyman that the counterfeit goods held at Tilleke & Gibbins could very well prove useful as educational tools if properly displayed and accessible for public viewing. Thus inspired, Mr. Lyman worked with members of the firm's Intellectual Property Department and the Tilleke & Gibbins Museum of Counterfeit Goods came into existence.
At the outset, the collection consisted of approximately 100 items divided into a few basic categories: clothing, leather goods, electronics, and toiletries. However, with new items gathered on a continuing basis from raids overseen by the firm—plus samples of the genuine goods which the firm obtains—the collection has rapidly grown. At present, the museum’s collection is composed of more than 3,500 pieces of infringing trademark and copyrighted goods, making it the largest one of its kind in Thailand. The collection now covers 14 broad categories of goods, including clothing, footwear, watches and eyewear, accessories, cosmetics and perfumes, food and household products, drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, copyrighted works, stationery and office supplies, automotive parts, tools, electrical devices, and miscellaneous products.
The Museum of Counterfeit Goods has attracted significant media attention, and at least four major foreign television broadcasting companies (including CNN and BBC) have featured the museum in their documentaries concerning the counterfeit situation in Thailand. Many local and international newspapers and magazines have also published articles on the Tilleke & Gibbins museum. For example, both The Christian Science Monitor and TIME magazine have recently presented profiles of the museum.
Intellectual property officials of the Pacific Rim countries have visited the museum as part of a training course organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation of Thailand. Not only is the museum attracting those involved in the intellectual property field, but it is also well frequented by Thai and foreign police, Interpol officers, judges, government officials, law students, clients, and other individuals from the private sector.
As foreseen, the display of counterfeit goods alongside their genuine counterparts has proven to be of great educational value. Museum visitors have an opportunity to take advantage of an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience, while gaining new perspective on the extent and consequences of the counterfeiting of legitimate goods.
For
more information, contact:
TILLEKE & GIBBINS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Supalai Grand Tower, 26th Floor
1011 Rama 3 Road
Chongnonsi Road, Yannawa
Bangkok 10120, Thailand
T: +66 2653 5555
F: +66 2653 5678
E: bangkok@tillekeandgibbins.com
