Counterfeits and infringing goods cost brands revenue, expose customers to unsafe products and dilute years of reputation. In South Florida they move through flea markets, strip-mall shops, social media sellers, warehouses in Doral and Hialeah, and the ports and airports that make Miami a trade hub. FSO Guard provides intellectual property and counterfeit investigations in Miami for brand owners, distributors and their counsel — from a single test purchase to mapping an entire distribution network.
Services
Counterfeit and infringement investigations
Identification of sellers of counterfeit, gray-market or infringing products; documented test purchases with chain of custody; surveillance of retail locations, storage and deliveries; identification of the people and companies behind stalls, shops and online accounts.
Supply chain and source identification
Tracing from retail seller to wholesaler, importer and, where possible, manufacturer using purchases, observation, corporate and shipping records and open-source analysis. See our corporate investigations.
Online marketplace and social media enforcement support
Monitoring and documentation of infringing listings on marketplaces and social platforms, identification of the operators behind seller accounts, test purchases shipped to controlled addresses, and evidence packages for takedown and legal action. Related: cyber and OSINT investigations.
Trademark and copyright infringement evidence
Documentation of unauthorized use of marks, designs, packaging, images, software and content by competitors, former licensees or franchisees — photographs, purchases, witness statements and timelines for counsel.
Trade secret theft and employee IP investigations
Departing employees, contractors and former partners suspected of taking proprietary information; competitor use of stolen materials; unauthorized production runs. Coordinated with counsel and forensic examiners; see also background checks on the people involved.
Distribution and license compliance
Verification that distributors, franchisees and licensees are selling only authorized products in authorized territories and channels; investigation of diversion and parallel imports.
Enforcement support
Coordination with counsel on cease-and-desist letters, civil seizures and injunctions; preparation of referrals to local, state and federal law enforcement; investigators available to testify about purchases, observations and chain of custody.
How an IP investigation works
- Briefing with the rights holder or counsel — the marks and products, what genuine and fake look like, known problem sellers, enforcement goals (takedowns, civil action, criminal referral).
- Market survey — where infringing goods are appearing offline and online.
- Test purchases and documentation — controlled buys with receipts, photographs, seller identification and preserved evidence.
- Identification and mapping — the people, companies, locations and accounts behind the sales; the supply chain above them.
- Report and enforcement — a court-ready package with exhibits, and support for whichever action counsel chooses.
Why South Florida brands use FSO Guard
- Licensed Florida investigative agency with field investigators who speak English, Spanish and Russian — most counterfeit retail in Miami is transacted in Spanish.
- Security agency license for situations requiring protection during seizures or hostile locations; see warehouse and logistics security.
- Discretion and evidentiary discipline: purchases and observations documented the way courts expect.
- Local knowledge of the markets, warehouses and neighborhoods where goods move.
Brand protection investigators in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach
FSO Guard Security Company — Florida Private Investigative Agency License A 1000095, Security Agency License B3100530 — Hollywood, FL. Call (786) 659-5011 or message us on WhatsApp to discuss a brand protection matter confidentially. See all investigation services.
