The European Commission has announced it will draw up a “watch-list of markets that are reported to engage in, or facilitate, substantial IPR infringement” in an effort to clamp down on fakes.
On Wednesday, November 29, the Commission announced plans to reduce IP rights infringement.
These included plans to ensure an “equally high level of legal protection across the EU” as well as encouraging IP owners to fight counterfeits and stemming the flow of them into Europe.
“The Commission will step up co-operation between EU customs authorities, notably by assessing the implementation of the EU Customs Action Plan on IP infringements for 2013-2017 and proposing more targeted assistance to national customs authorities,” it stated.
The Commission also planned to create a “watch list” of the worst infringers.
“Europe’s economic growth and competitiveness largely depends on our many entrepreneurs, from start-ups to large companies, investing in new ideas and knowledge,” explained the Commission’s vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen.
Entrepreneurship and SMEs commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska added that the measures will help the Commission catch “the big fish” behind fake goods and pirated content.
European Commission, IP infringement, IPR, EU Customs, fake goods, pirated content,
