Not to be missed!
About the Conference
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Title: |
International Conference on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy |
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Subtitle: |
Customs responds to the challenges |
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Date: |
21-23 May 2008 |
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Location: |
Sithonia Peninsula, Halkidiki, Greece |
| Organizer: | World Customs Organization in partnership with the EU Customs 2013 Programme |
| Host: | Greek Customs administration with the support of the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance |
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Introduction: |
The trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is growing internationally at an alarming rate. Besides luxury designer goods, more and more ordinary products used by consumers on a daily basis and which are found to be fake are finding their way onto local markets: foodstuffs; pharmaceutical products; toothpaste; tea; mobile phones; cosmetics; electronic equipment, medicines; CDs; DVDs; cigarettes; and a host of other products. Anything that can be faked is faked. The counterfeiting and piracy industry now produce goods on an industrial scale with scant regard for any health and safety considerations. The money generated by this illegal industry runs into millions of dollars and this has opened the door to organized crime whose involvement in the fake industry is irrefutable. The money generated by the fake trade can be used for a number of nefarious purposes including activities that could destabilise the world economy and impact on the implementation of social and economic development programmes. A global partnership between governments, international organizations, business and consumers is one sure way to stop the illicit trade in counterfeit and pirated products. Action in this area across the world and at all levels is the way forward. It’s time for action and the time is now! Together, we can invent our future. |
| Objectives: |
The conference aims: · to provide a secure and safe environment for all citizens · to enhance Customs border controls · to identify future challenges, opportunities and threats · to raise public awareness about the dangers of fake goods · to mobilise international players to further synergise their activities
· to intensify cooperation between the EU and the WCO |
| Participant profile: |
Specialists from the public and private sector dealing with issues relating to the fight against counterfeiting and piracy and the protection of intellectual property rights: senior Customs officials; business executives, trade compliance officers, IPR lawyers, consultants, supply chain security managers, international traders, financial controllers, Customs brokers, freight forwarders, express carriers; academics, researchers and representatives from relevant international organisations. |
| Benefits: |
Discussions will enable participants: · to learn more about current international anti-counterfeiting and piracy initiatives · to exchange experiences on how to improve activities to combat the fake trade in order to better protect consumers · to examine the real impact of counterfeiting and piracy on the social and economic well-being of world citizens · to explore further ways and means in which cooperation can be strengthened and broadened amongst trade stakeholders · to openly and frankly share views and offer solutions to identified challenges and threats posed by the trade in fake products · to benchmark best practices on combating counterfeiting and piracy |
| Supporting organizations: | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
