From the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI)

The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) presented its inaugural Integrity Award to BLADE and F+W for contributions to work against counterfeit knives. The presentation took place at the recent BLADE Show awards reception in Atlanta.

The BLADE Show is world’s largest annual knife event; F+W is a media and e-commerce company headquartered in New York City.

Rod Bremer, chair of AKTI’s Anti-Counterfeiting Committee and CEO of CRKT, along with John Sullivan, AKTI Vice President and W.R. Case’s Vice President of Marketing, made the first presentation of the evening to BLADE editor Steve Shackleford.

“AKTI was proud to partner with BLADE to develop a policy to fight the growing number of counterfeit knives damaging our industry,” said Rod Bremer. “The BLADE Show will now be a safer place to display products and for our customers to buy branded knives and tools with confidence they are genuine.”

“BLADE Magazine and F+W are most humbled for being recognized with the first AKTI Integrity Award. The fact that it salutes us for our integrity in fighting the worldwide problem of counterfeit knives and that it’s the inaugural presentation of the honor makes it doubly humbling. On behalf of both BLADE and F+W, I thank you,” said Steve Shackleford.

The BLADE Show policy on counterfeiting, trademark infringement and intellectual property can be seen on their website www.bladeshow.com and is incorporated into the rules for the 2017 show on June 2-4 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

The BLADE Show provides a forum for members of the knife community to gather and focus on knives. Designers, makers and manufacturers can showcase their efforts. Consumers, collectors and users can meet firsthand with those on the supply side and conduct hands-on comparison and evaluation of much of what comprises the knife. The protection of intellectual property, including trademarks and trade dress, is critical to preserving a dynamic and innovative knife industry. The BLADE Show is, accordingly, committed to an anti-piracy policy. Exhibitors who are found to be offering counterfeit or “pirated” knives may be subject to any or all of the following:

1. Removal by law enforcement of items proven to be counterfeit or pirated.
2. Legal action by the affected parties, including removal from the Show by law enforcement.
3. Banned from exhibiting at future BLADE shows.

The BLADE Show will work with law enforcement, private anti-piracy consultants retained by various exhibitors and all involved to arrive at the most equitable solution to issues involving counterfeit and pirated knives. All exhibitors are encouraged to exercise care to avoid counterfeit and pirated knives. Know the source and integrity of the knives you display.

The effects of counterfeits are devastating. In addition to the loss of sales revenue, manufacturers and custom knifemakers incur other costs such as increased customer service issues, legal fees, monitoring counterfeiters, and erosion of their brands.

AKTI works to provide information to the knife community on how to protect their intellectual property, brand and how to fight against counterfeits on the market.