Sadly, it is not infrequent to hear about unsolicited fake letters to honest trade mark owners requesting the payment of imaginary renewal/registration fees, or informing of the availability of unofficial or simply non-existent trade mark registries.

But the Spanish Patents and Trade Marks Office (SPTO) has informed of a new practice that takes the “state of the art” in the field fake letters one or two steps ahead.

The fake letter in question consists in a quite threatening demand letter to third parties urging the cease of certain conduct on the basis of an alleged IP infringement. The letter reproduces the SPTO letterhead, the seal of the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and is signed by the "head" of the SPTO’s “IP Criminal Offence Section. Specialized and Violent Delinquency Squad”. It is very worth noting that the SPTO does not have such section or squad, or anything even remotely similar.

To make things even worse, the fake letter also includes a mention to the European Patent Academy, which could not be less related with the issue.

The SPTO has issued a formal announcement denying any relation with these letters. It also advises recipients to file a criminal complaint before the Police.