RESEARCH OVERVIEW

The A-CAPP Center is a non-profit, interdisciplinary research-focused center at Michigan State University. The Center began as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Program, which was under the direction of the School of Criminal Justice at MSU. It later gained center status and moved to an independent center within MSU’s College of Social Science. The prominence of the Center and its nature as an interdisciplinary endeavor led to its current designation as a university-level center. From this position, A-CAPP is able to leverage the collective strengths of a top-tier global university that is recognized around the globe as a leader in a number of fields relevant to the study of product counterfeiting and brand protection.

In addition to its research mission, the Center maintains a robust education and outreach agenda. Activities in these areas have made the Center a leading expert on product counterfeiting and brand protection issues, and the Center maintains partnerships with global corporations, government agencies, and key law enforcement partners. Additionally, the Center has begun a concerted effort to engage e-commerce platforms, law firms and other service providers as a way to develop a holistic approach to anti-counterfeiting research, education and outreach activities.

Our research agenda is intended to guide the A-CAPP Center’s research and scholarly activities from 2022 to 2027 and is aligned with our Strategic Plan to ensure that we remain the preeminent academic institution in this field.

Research Mission: Transdisciplinary & Practical Research Excellence

To be the global leader in the production and dissemination of impactful research and scholarship in the areas of brand protection, product counterfeiting and trade in illicit goods.

The A-CAPP Center will focus on four thematic research areas to address the central challenges in the field.