EU bolsters power to tackle in-transit counterfeits

The European Parliament (EP) has voted in favour of strengthened seizure powers for goods in transit that breach trademarks.  The new provision – part of a comprehensive re-working of trademark law which also makes it easier to freeze and confiscate assets after a criminal conviction – were backed by 631 votes to 19 with 25 abstentions in the EP today.  “Today, less than 1 per cent of the proceeds of crimes such as drug trafficking, counterfeiting, human trafficking and small arms smuggling are frozen and confiscated,” said the EP in a statement released after the vote.

http://www.securingindustry.com/pharmaceuticals/eu-bolsters-power-to-tackle-in-transit-counterfeits/s40/a1977/