Commission figures show that the phenomenon of pirated and counterfeit goods is a growing problem posing an economic and physical threat to businesses and consumers respectively.
The 103 million counterfeit goods seized at EU borders in 1998 represents a 1000% increase in less than a decade. Illegal medicines, car parts, foodstuffs and children's toys, now industrially produced by international criminal gangs, could be potentially lethal for unwary consumers as well as causing untold losses to businesses whose goods are being copied.
The Commission has therefore published, on 11 October 2005, an action plan to give customs authorities more teeth to fight the problem. The plan envisages:
- a new electronic community risk management system to allow fast exchange of information among customs authorities;
- a review of EU counterfeit legislation by a new business-customs working group;
- a new member state customs experts task force;
- agreements with airlines and shipping companies to improve information exchange;
- possible amendments to the WTO TRIPS agreement on international intellectual property rights.
