Law enforcement officials must ensure that seized counterfeits are fully destroyed, instead of being re-exported from the port of seizure, said an official of the Brand Owners Protection Group (BPG).

According to Omar Shteiwi, chairman of the board at the BPG, a non-profit organisation established to combat counterfeiting and similar intellectual property rights violations, and regional intellectual property advisor for Nestlé Middle East, this is a step necessary to terminate the problem of counterfeit goods.

Shteiwi has called on authorities for more stringent action at “IPR Regional Seminar for the Mena region on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy – Health & Safety Workshop” being held at the Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai from May 3 to 7.

The event is organised by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the UAE Federal Customs Authority, and the regional office for Capacity Building – North Africa and Near & Middle East.

“Re-exportation of counterfeit goods from port of seizure will not solve the problem of counterfeiting,” Shteiwi explained. “It will only shift or relocate it to another market because the phenomenon is of a global scale.”

Shteiwi also underscored the importance of creating a new entity under the umbrella of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) whose function will be the coordination of intelligence between the WCO, local customs authorities and brand owners.

“Transparency should be the roadmap between brand owners and law enforcers who are always requested to exchange information pertaining to perpetrators of counterfeiting with the brand owners, so that they are able to work closely with authorities and are prepared to use all legal means at their disposal against these violators,” he said.

“It is also important to institute agreements between the authorities and the brands’ rightful owners to maintain a standard level of cooperation and flow of information.'

The event witnessed BPG members, a number of multinational companies based in the UAE where they manage their business in the region, discussing strategic anti-counterfeiting initiatives with customs officials and federal authorities as it reaffirms BPG’s dedication to mitigating counterfeiting by consistently attending, co-organising and supporting global and regional congregations related to intellectual property rights.

The seminar, together with the coordinated efforts of its organisers, has been hailed by the BPG and is set to result in continued interaction between stakeholders and customs authorities in the global fight against counterfeiting.

The BPG members shared their experience and knowledge on tackling counterfeits in different sectors such as FMCG, automotive, tobacco, electronics and pharmaceuticals and highlighted the importance of protecting consumers worldwide from counterfeited products especially pharmaceuticals and food which pose a threat to public health.

They insisted on taking all appropriate steps to safeguard public health, including taking the necessary legal action against the manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other parties involved in counterfeiting.

“It is crucial for the BPG to support an event of this magnitude owing to the fact that the dialogue between the authorities and brand owners is very essential,” Shteiwi concluded.

“Our participation in the seminar also portrays our seriousness in our fight against brand replication and in protecting the lawful rights of brand owners.” – TradeArabia News Service