Discovering and handling over 43,500 cases of counterfeit and intellectual property infringement

Customs officers of Customs Enforcement Unit (Quang Tri Customs Department) inspect violated goods. Photo: Đỗ Quang Hùng

According to the report of competent forces under the National Steering Committee 389, the situation of production and trading counterfeit and fake goods of well-known brands, infringing goods with many types and models, using labels and packages of credible production bases still, happen in some localities.

Counterfeit goods, poor quality goods, intellectual property infringement are concentrated on the garment, electronic devices, household goods, consumer goods, etc. These items are mainly fake up in a foreign country and then export illegally to Vietnam.

The main method is that the subjects find many kinds of goods, cheap semi-finished raw materials, unknown quality, origin and packaging, imitation labels of famous brands, then manually packing or using rudimentary machines and production chains for processing, labeling and supplying to the market; Those products are displayed with real products or transported to remote areas, causing risks to consumers health and life.

According to Mr. Dam Thanh The, the inspection and handling of counterfeit and infringing intellectual property goods of the competent forces have not received tide coordination, information to identify authentic goods from counterfeit goods of manufacturers, sole owners; high inspection cost and the length of inspection is so long thus it affects the effectiveness of the inspection and handling of violations.

Furthermore, level of professional experience of some civil servants in the implementation of anti-smuggling, counterfeit and intellectual property rights are limited; The propaganda, dissemination and guiding legislation, signing commitments not to operate the business for smuggled goods, counterfeit goods and intellectual property rights violations have been implemented in localities but not regularly and continuously.

At the meeting, Dr. Ros Lynch, Director of Copyright and Enforcement, Office of Intellectual Property, United Kingdom, said that United Kingdom highly concerned about intellectual property rights and have many experts and experience that are willing to share with Vietnam. Dr. Ros Lynch believes that in the near future Vietnam will implement more effective intellectual property rights in order to facilitate to investors.

Moreover, to intensify the inspection and handling of the acts of producing and trading smuggled goods, fake goods, poor quality goods and commercial frauds, Mr. Dam Thanh The said that it is necessary to promote information activities, propagandizing anti-smuggling, trade frauds and counterfeits; direction of the Government for the fight against smuggling, trade frauds and counterfeits; Propagate for business organizations and individuals to comply the provisions of law, sign commitments not to do business of counterfeit goods, smuggled goods or poor-quality goods, and conduct inspection after signing commitment and strict handling violation.

In that, to further review and detect loopholes and shortcomings in mechanisms and policies on the fight against smuggling, trade frauds and fake goods in order to propose to the National Assembly, the Government, ministries and branches for consideration and modification in order to overcome limitations that exist in the inspection and control of the market ...

The Permanent Office of the National Steering Committee 389 also expected to receive support and cooperation from the British Embassy in exchanging experiences, organizing training for competent forces under National Steering Committee 389 such as: Police, Customs, Market Management, Border Guard, Coast Guard,… on counterfeit goods and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Additionally, supporting and cooperation on dissemination, propaganda to raise law compliance of enterprises and people.