EU business survey identifies target countries in fight against counterfeiting
While the EU does not exclude the possibility of action in the WTO against IPR infringement, the EU is not creating a ‘black list’, but looking to focus technical assistance and cooperation in the joint fight against piracy. Today’s survey results send a message of concern and signal the EU’s firm resolve to tackle it. The European Union is ready to help key third countries in improving their act; but will not accept systematic and large scale infringements of the rights of EU industry. The results of the survey are intended to provide a resource for European businesses by making them aware of the risks they may face when dealing with certain third countries, but also by drawing attention to the resources available for protecting their intellectual property rights outside the EU. Identifying target countries Category 1 – China has been identified as the main priority for the EU. Indicators such as customs seizures show that alone it is responsible for around two thirds of infringing goods entering the EU. On the other hand, China is the country where the EU has established the most in-depth cooperation to address the problem. Category 2 - Countries with high levels of production, transit and/or consumption of counterfeit goods. These countries have made serious commitments to the EU to adopt the highest standards of IPR enforcement, but need to considerably step-up their efforts and tackle serious deficiencies: Russia, Ukraine, Chile and Turkey. Category 3 - Countries/regions with high levels of production, transit and/or consumption of IP infringing goods, with which the EU is considering enhanced trade agreements with a closer focus on IPR enforcement: ASEAN, with a particular focus on Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam; Mercosur, with a particular focus on Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay; Korea The Enforcement Survey was based on questionnaires requesting specific information about actual infringements suffered, measures undertaken against such infringements and the reaction from national authorities. The questionnaires also asked general information about the state of enforcement in the country concerned. It was sent to right-holders, associations, EU Delegations and Embassies of EU member states. It was also made available on the DG Trade website any concerned parties were publicly invited to participate via External Trade's newsletter. The Enforcement Survey gives a detailed state-of-play of the enforcement situation in countries and describes the actions available against infringements, the most effective mechanisms and best practices for tackling it. There is also extensive information about the difficulties with which EU right-holders are confronted when operating in third countries. To read the full survey results visit:
•Date: 6th October 2006• Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: Operational risk |
