Efforts to stop sale of smuggled cigarettes
Between 1 April and 30 June, the Da Nang Market Management Bureau has inspected many establishments which sell tobacco products imported from foreign countries. As a result, over 2,000 packs of illegally traded cigarettes were seized, mainly brands including Esse, Jet and 555. Fines totalling over 68.8 million VND were imposed on the violators.
Over the first 6 months of this year, the local police force has cracked down on cigarette smuggling cases in the city. Da Nang has seen a lower number of cigarette smuggling cases than other localities across the country, especially those which border Laos, China and Cambodia. However, the city is considered to be a profitable market for smuggled cigarettes. The transport of smuggled foreign-made cigarettes to localities nationwide through border gates has yet to be controlled effectively.
http://www.baodanang.vn/english/society/201407/efforts-to-stop-sale-of-smuggled-cigarettes-2343865/
Lear MoreCustoms seizes more smuggled garlic
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intensifies its drive against the illegal entry of agricultural products in the country as it seized an estimated 125 metric tons or 125,000 kilograms of smuggled garlic at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) worth over P37-Million.
BOC issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on five (5) 40-foot refrigerated container vans of garlic that arrived in the country without a Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) Import Clearance or Permit from the Department of Agriculture (DA). Importing garlic without the proper import permits from the DA is in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1433 (Promulgating the Plant Quarantine Law of 1978, thereby Revising and Consolidating Existing Plant Quarantine Laws to Further Improve and Strengthen Service of the Bureau of Plant Industry), which states that traders who wish to import agricultural products must first secure permits from the DA.
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Chinese anti-counterfeit company lists in Australia
Chinese covert tracer company YPB Group will shortly list on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) after closing a A$3.7m ($3.5m) initial public offering.
YPB is a Hong Kong-based that has developed a covert marker technology that can be added to branded products and authenticated using a proprietary scanner. The company is also developing an iOS and Android phone app to allow consumers to tell genuine and fake products apart, which should be available in the second half of this year.
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Jeweller Pandora takes fight to counterfeiters
Danish jewellery company Pandora has chalked up a victory in its long-running war against criminals who illegally copy its products.
A police operation in Dorset in the UK discovered three people selling counterfeit Pandora beads through a number of different online marketplace accounts.
An investigation revealed the three individuals had made around £47,000 selling beads, claimed to be genuine Pandora items that had in fact been sourced from China. The Danish company produces all of its charm bracelet products from facilities in Thailand. In each case, fines of a few hundred pounds and a victim surcharge penalty were levied on those charged.
http://www.securingindustry.com/clothing-and-accessories/-/s107/a2087/#.U8TOG5SSxCg
Lear MoreJudiciary Roundtable on Smuggling, Counterfeiting and Piracy, Chandigarh
12/07/2014 | Chandigarh
FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) in association with the Chandigarh Judicial Academy organized a Judiciary roundtable on Smuggling, Counterfeiting and Piracy on July 12 at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy. The objective of the roundtable was to focus on issues and challenges, which the Judiciary is expected to address in resolving IP disputes in view of the changing scenario of technology and trade policies and development of the law on the subject.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana was the chief guest at the event. Hon’ble Justice pointed out that though the topic of smuggling, counterfeiting and piracy is important; it has only received selective importance. He further stated that IPR is creation of human minds and these creations needs to be rewarded. However, reward will only come if it is protected. With the advancement of technology the situation has become complex and needs greater protection. Hon’ble Justice emphasized that law creation is one part but awareness creation is even more important. There is a large section that is not aware. Efforts should be made to make people aware of the legal provisions and protection available for counterfeiting, smuggling and piracy related activities.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, President, Board of Governors Chandigarh Judicial Academy and Judge, High Court of Punjab & Haryana in his special address congratulated FICCI for taking this initiative with the Chandigarh Judicial Academy in organizing the seminar which is of global importance. Hon’ble Justice remarked that a nation with strong IPR encourages both innovation and knowledge diffusion through IPR protection which in turn propels its economy. Hon’ble Justice said that India can deal with the menace of smuggling, counterfeiting and piracy with a strong IPR regime and by complying with international treaties.
Mr. Deep Chand I.P.S. (Retd.), Advisor, FICCI CASCADE in his address mentioned that the Judiciary plays an extremely vital role in our country providing legal remedies against violation of personal and property rights of the persons. The effective safeguard of the rights of right owners can be carried out by judiciary, with understanding of laws, statues and judgments. These analyses and verdicts form a definite type of law. But it is very essential that later on the same adjudication must be reliably followed. The judiciary must be able to comprehend intellectual property, identify intellectual property and predict the utility of the same. It is vital that the quantum of damage fixed in encroachment of intellectual property ought to be such that it not only protects the holder but also prevent any subsequent infringement.
Mr. Arun Chawla, Asst. Secretary General, FICCI welcomed the dignitaries and guests and stated that the costs of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling are not only real, but are huge. With the increase in global trade and technological revolution, there has been an increase in IP crimes. Crimes relating to piracy, smuggling and counterfeiting have increased manifold in global market as a result of which the government, businesses, society and consumers are losing millions of rupees. Protection of Intellectual property is thus a vital element in encouraging research and innovation, international trade and investment, and sound economic growth and development. Mr. Chawla also shared the initiatives of the FICCI CASCADE in fighting the perils of smuggling and counterfeiting.
The inaugural session was followed by technical sessions. Eminent speakers from HP, Star India, ITC Ltd, Microsoft Corporations India Ltd, U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office, Motion Picture Association India, Thought Arbitrage Research Institute, Inttl Advocare and Delhi University discussed and deliberated on various aspects such as Intellectual Property – Scope of Rights and Enforcement – An Overview; Speedy Adjudication of IP Matters for the Growth of Indian Industry; International Best Practices for Curbing Counterfeiting and Smuggling; Linkages of Counterfeiting & Piracy to Cybercrime – Emerging Risks to National Security; Combating Content
Theft in M&E Industry; Illicit Market: Threat to National Security and Case Study & Laws related to Smuggling, Counterfeiting & Piracy.
The day-long programme was attended by 125 trainee judges and a number of sitting high court judges.
EU seizes counterfeit goods from Far East
A major joint customs operation code named ERMIS has seized 70,000 contraband goods, in an operation that was carried-out by the Greek Customs Administration, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), after the European Commission released details of the customs raids.
The 70,000 goods were taken in March in 634 separate seizures of contraband parcels. The goods included mobile phones, sunglasses, and small vehicle spare parts, medicines and pharmaceutical products.
The intelligence involved in the operation focused on postal and courier mail traffic, designed to identify any fabricated products that had been shipped through in small consignments.
http://www.praguepost.com/eu-news/40097-eu-seizes-counterfeit-goods-from-far-east#ixzz37W9vfuXM
Lear MoreJudiciary Roundtable on Smuggling, Counterfeiting and Piracy, Chandigarh
12/7/2014 | Chandigarh
FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) in association with the Chandigarh Judicial Academy organized a Judiciary roundtable on Smuggling, Counterfeiting and Piracy on July 12 at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy. The objective of the roundtable was to focus on issues and challenges, which the Judiciary is expected to address in resolving IP disputes in view of the changing scenario of technology and trade policies and development of the law on the subject.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana was the chief guest at the event. Hon’ble Justice pointed out that though the topic of smuggling, counterfeiting and piracy is important; it has only received selective importance. He further stated that IPR is creation of human minds and these creations needs to be rewarded. However, reward will only come if it is protected. With the advancement of technology the situation has become complex and needs greater protection. Hon’ble Justice emphasized that law creation is one part but awareness creation is even more important. There is a large section that is not aware. Efforts should be made to make people aware of the legal provisions and protection available for counterfeiting, smuggling and piracy related activities.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, President, Board of Governors Chandigarh Judicial Academy and Judge, High Court of Punjab & Haryana in his special address congratulated FICCI for taking this initiative with the Chandigarh Judicial Academy in organizing the seminar which is of global importance. Hon’ble Justice remarked that a nation with strong IPR encourages both innovation and knowledge diffusion through IPR protection which in turn propels its economy. Hon’ble Justice said that India can deal with the menace of smuggling, counterfeiting and piracy with a strong IPR regime and by complying with international treaties.
Mr. Deep Chand I.P.S. (Retd.), Advisor, FICCI CASCADE in his address mentioned that the Judiciary plays an extremely vital role in our country providing legal remedies against violation of personal and property rights of the persons. The effective safeguard of the rights of right owners can be carried out by judiciary, with understanding of laws, statues and judgments. These analyses and verdicts form a definite type of law. But it is very essential that later on the same adjudication must be reliably followed. The judiciary must be able to comprehend intellectual property, identify intellectual property and predict the utility of the same. It is vital that the quantum of damage fixed in encroachment of intellectual property ought to be such that it not only protects the holder but also prevent any subsequent infringement.
Mr. Arun Chawla, Asst. Secretary General, FICCI welcomed the dignitaries and guests and stated that the costs of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling are not only real, but are huge. With the increase in global trade and technological revolution, there has been an increase in IP crimes. Crimes relating to piracy, smuggling and counterfeiting have increased manifold in global market as a result of which the government, businesses, society and consumers are losing millions of rupees. Protection of Intellectual property is thus a vital element in encouraging research and innovation, international trade and investment, and sound economic growth and development. Mr. Chawla also shared the initiatives of the FICCI CASCADE in fighting the perils of smuggling and counterfeiting.
The inaugural session was followed by technical sessions. Eminent speakers from HP, Star India, ITC Ltd, Microsoft Corporations India Ltd, U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office, Motion Picture Association India, Thought Arbitrage Research Institute, Inttl Advocare and Delhi University discussed and deliberated on various aspects such as Intellectual Property – Scope of Rights and Enforcement – An Overview; Speedy Adjudication of IP Matters for the Growth of Indian Industry; International Best Practices for Curbing Counterfeiting and Smuggling; Linkages of Counterfeiting & Piracy to Cyber crime – Emerging Risks to National Security; Combating Content
Theft in M&E Industry; Illicit Market: Threat to National Security and Case Study & Laws related to Smuggling, Counterfeiting & Piracy.
The day-long programme was attended by 125 trainee judges and a number of sitting high court judges.
Viewpoint: A shot in the arm for generics producers
Domino inksThere is nowhere to hide from the Falsified Medicines Directive. It impacts generics producers in the same way as any other drug manufacturer or re-packager selling into Europe. With just under 48 months to go before the deadline, which is likely to be mid-2018, the clock is ticking for all producers to get their house in order.
The subject was hot on the agenda at the European Generics Association (EGA) meeting in Madrid earlier this month. As generics manufacturers often supply products with much lower margins than patented drug producers, their budgets are restricted when it comes to new investment – which is why many of them have been holding out until the last minute to find the ‘best-fit’ solution for their businesses.
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Honeywell Safety Products appoints new global president
Honeywell has appointed Sach Sankpal as Global President for its Safety Products division, part of the Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions’ Life Safety business. Sankpal joined the company in 2010 as VP of Strategy and Marketing for Honeywell Life Safety and for the past two years has led the Safety Products business for EMEAI. In his new role, Sankpal said his top priority will be to build upon the company’s position in the global safety industry by expanding its portfolio of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as training, services and value-added programmes.
Lear MoreJoint operation stubs out illegal tobacco caches in Flint
THOUSANDS of illegal cigarettes and three kilograms of tobacco have been seized from three stores.
About 63,000 cigarettes as well as 3kg of hand rolling tobacco were seized from three stores in Flint in a joint operation between Flintshire Council’s Trading Standards officers and North Wales Police.
The tobacco had been hidden away in a specially constructed shop counter which contained a hidden compartment with an electronically controlled sliding door.
Pepper had been liberally sprayed all over the products in an attempt to hide the tobacco from specialist sniffer dogs used to identify illicit goods.
Investigations in to the source of the cigarettes are ongoing.
Inspector Ceri Hawe from North Wales Police said: “We attended three premises in Flint to assist Flintshire Trading Standards in executing warrants. Significant quantities of illicit tobacco were recovered.
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