False bank slips: diagnosis and fight against malicious conduct in the field of intellectual property

Abstract

Rightholders of intellectual property rights, either effective or potential, are recently being targets of malicious conduct by unknown agents. It has become common to notice offers for unrequested services through the dispatch of mail, whose contents aim to bring the reader to confusion regarding their intellectual property rights. A bank slip usually comes attached, aiming to make use of the reader's lack of attention or imminent fear in order to get financial proceeds. This article brings about a brief diagnosis of this situation and of the ways through which it can be fought.