Press Release: Fight against fakes: Increased customs actions boost protection of intellectual property rights

In 2010, EU Customs seized more than 103 million products suspected of violating intellectual property rights (IPR) at the EU's external borders.

According to the Commission's annual report on EU Customs enforcement of IPR, the number of shipments stopped by customs almost doubled compared to last year, rising from 43,500 in 2009 to almost 80,000 in 2010.

The report also gives statistics on the type, origin and transport method of IPR infringing products stopped at the EU's external borders.

European Commission: Speech/11/522: Algirdas Šemeta: Customs enforces Intellectual Property Rights to protect consumers and businesses in Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/11/522&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/506: Detention of counterfeit and pirated goods at EU borders in 2010 – Frequently Asked Questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/506&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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