Press Release: Protecting Intellectual Property Rights: EU customs detain over 100 million fake goods at EU borders

In 2011, EU Customs detained almost 115 million products suspected of violating intellectual property rights (IPR) compared to 103 million in 2010. The number of intercepted cases increased by 15% compared to 2010. The value of the intercepted goods represented nearly €1.3 billion compared to €1.1 billion in 2010, according to the Commission's annual report on customs actions to enforce IPR.

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

European Commission: Memo/12/592: Customs action to tackle fakes – Frequently Asked Questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/592&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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