Press Release: EU strengthens fight against piracy and counterfeiting beyond its borders

In an effort to halt the increase in piracy and counterfeiting the European Commission adopted on 10 November 2004 a strategy for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries. The action plan focuses on vigorous and effective implementation and enforcement of existing IPR laws. It proposes to identify priority countries where enforcement actions should be concentrated. Stress would be put on technical cooperation and assistance to help third countries fight counterfeiting but the Commission would not hesitate to trigger all bilateral and multilateral sanction mechanisms against any country involved in systematic violations. According to the plan the Commission would foster awareness raising of users and consumers in third countries and support the creation of public-private partnerships for enforcement.

European Commission: MEMO: MEMO/04/255 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/04/255&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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