TikTok’s former intellectual property operations manager for Asia Pacific and Latin America, Oliver Walsh, is joining Rouse as global head of evidence services and its anti-piracy lead. He will be based in Rouse’s Bangkok office.

Joining him in the enforcement team will be Chris Bailey, who has been at Rouse since 1995 when the IP firm first opened its doors there. He has worked in China for 25 years and is moving back to London to lead enforcement services in the UK and EU.

The IP firm said these appointments are in response to client need and the changing anti-counterfeiting landscape. MarqVision’s 2023 State of Brand Protection report shows 74% of IP owners saw an increase in online counterfeits over the last three years. According to Groningen University’s Illicit Trade Group, 12.5% of China’s total exports are counterfeits. 

Speaking about Walsh’s arrival, Rouse’s enforcement global service head, Nick Redfearn, said his experience at TikTok and previous to that at the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the Motion Picture Association of America, will “bring a multitude of benefits to our clients”.

He added: “Rouse began life as an anti-counterfeiting firm and Oliver’s appointment demonstrates that we are evolving our service as our clients’ challenges also change.”

Walsh said Rouse’s understanding of counterfeiting hotspots is “unparalleled” as is their anti-piracy experience. “I am delighted to be instrumental in taking the service into the future,” he added.

The IP firm hopes Walsh’s significant experience in anti-piracy will develop Rouse’s offering in this area alongside his core role which will draw on his UK police experience – Walsh was a police officer in the City of London Police for more than 10 years.

As he takes over UK and EU enforcement teams, Bailey’s decades of experience “on the ground” in Asia, the firm hopes, will help brand owners navigate the important Chinese market.

Global Legal Post will be hosting the Anti-Counterfeiting World Law Summit on 18 October where brand protection managers, government agencies, law enforcement and technology innovators will convene to share best practice and successful enforcement strategies.