Welcome to SeCA Working Group

Weixin, a social and communications platform, is committed to collaborating with brand owners and other key stakeholders to combat counterfeiting.

1. What is the platform's channel(s) (e.g., online form / portal) for submitting and tracking complaints?

a) Users may conveniently access the reporting functions in various settings on Weixin, such as private/group chats, Moments, Official Accounts, Mini-Programs, and Channels.

b) The Brand Protection Platform (“BPP”) primarily serves Weixin’s private features (e.g., private chats).
Introduction: https://weixin110.qq.com/security/readtemplate?t=fake_report/guide
How to join: https://weixin110.qq.com/security/readtemplate?t=fake_report/brand_join

How BPP works:
i. BPP receives reports from users or local authorities on counterfeit products relating to a particular brand;
ii. Reports will be passed to the corresponding brand owner, who reviews the report along with any submitted evidence and sends the verification results and comments to BPP via the platform;
iii. If Weixin confirms that counterfeiting activity has occurred, Weixin will take appropriate enforcement action against the infringing account and notify the respective account user and brand owner of such activity
iv. There is a reporting system for infringing activities that take place on Weixin’s public features (e.g., Official Accounts, Mini-Programs). The take-down mechanism can be accessed at: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/acct/infringementlogin?action=getkey_brand&lang=en.

2. What is the platform’s procedures and requirements for handling and processing complaints:

E.g.:
- Proof of identification of complainant
- Proof of authority to file complaint (PoA)
- Description of the counterfeit product
- Is there a “trusted notifiers” programme which expedites processing complaints?

a) On the Weixin BPP, users need to submit the following supporting material:
i. Photo of the counterfeit product
ii. Description of the transaction and counterfeit product
iii. Screenshot of the relevant chat history
iv. Profile page of the account complained

Users have the option to provide his/her mobile number to the corresponding brand owner when filing a complaint.

b) For notice of infringement filed in relation to Weixin’s public features, complainants need to submit the following submitting material:
i. Proof of identification of the complainant
ii. Contact information of the complainant
iii. Description of the infringement
iv. Proof of IP rights

c) BPP members get to enjoy a simplified reporting process and can report cases of infringement via a link on the BPP. BPP members are exempted from providing their identification documents each time they wish to report infringement.

3. What are the expected or average complaint processing times for the notifications (with the option to break down into segments, e.g., “trusted notifiers” and “others”.)

a) User reports through the BPP: brand owners on the BPP have up to 90 days to review and verify the user reports. Upon receipt of verification results from brand owners, Weixin will review the verification results and take follow-up action within 7 working days. Straightforward cases will likely take less than 7 working days to be processed.

b) Open Platform: reports of infringing activities will be reviewed and handled within 7 working days. Straightforward cases will likely take less than 7 working days to be processed.

4. Is there external-facing contact(s) who can speak for the platform in relation to IP protection and anti-counterfeiting issues?

a) Email contact for BPP reports: notice_wxpbr@tencent.com
b) External contacts for IP protection and anti-counterfeiting issues: Ross Zhang – rossxzhang@tencent.com; Yee Ler Lau – yeelerlau@tencent.com?

5. Are there any other practices adopted by the platform has which further boost IPR protection?

- Prevention of repeat infringers policy
- Offline investigations collaboration/information sharing

Other than the regular notice & takedown and user reporting practice, Weixin has a number of anti-counterfeiting practices, including but not limited to:

a) Enhanced penalties against repeat infringers
b) Proactive measures:
1) Keyword protection, i.e., auto-blocking of account registrations that involve brand keywords, e.g., registered trademarks, trade names.
2) Preventing re-registration of blocked personal accounts
c) Offline enforcement collaboration – Weixin has collaborated with brand owners, law enforcement agencies, and market supervision authorities in both criminal and administrative cases in China