SE Asia enforcement authorities to share best practices at IP Key exchange dialogues
IP Key SEA organised exchange dialogues in Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia on 17 - 24 October for local customs authorities to share expertise on IP enforcement practices and border control measures with EU representatives. The activity aimed to further intensify the level of coordination and engagement of local law enforcement authorities in curtailing the trade in IPR infringing goods.
Items discussed included local legal and institutional frameworks and issues for IP enforcement, the experiences of rightsholders in coordinating with customs authorities, initiatives and practices for IP enforcement in the EU, current trends and modi operandi in the trade of pirated and counterfeit goods, and the latest tools and methods for identifying and tracking them.
Infringing items such as counterfeit goods and pirated materials are a significant issue in the region as their presence curtails trade in legitimate products, disincentivises research and development, poses a health risk to consumers and ultimately limits economic development. IP Key SEA foresees stronger enforcement of IP rights at both a local and regional level in order to help address these issues.