The fake goods phenomenon now threatens all sectors of industry as well as the world of art and culture. We are pleased to inform you that in co-operation with the major rights holders in the mobile phone sector, the World Customs Organization will be holding a one-day Operational Seminar on combating counterfeiting and piracy at its Headquarters on 18 June 2007.

Faced with an unprecedented surge in the number of fake goods, this united front by mobile phone manufacturers is an industry first and is crucial given the grave danger posed to consumers by these fake spare parts.

During this Seminar, the main mobile phone manufacturers, namely Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, will present the latest counterfeiting trends with which they are having to deal. They will also describe the key technical details enabling Customs officers to distinguish between genuine and fake products. In addition, we will take stock of the principal smuggling routes and the latest techniques used to evade Customs controls.

At this event, representatives of certain Customs administrations will also give a detailed description of several significant seizures, focusing on the risk analysis criteria used to detect these suspect consignments.

This one-day thematic event, organized in conjunction with the major rights holders in this sector, reflects a new approach which I trust will be more technical and practical. I hope that this same approach can be applied to other sectors of industry in the fullness of time.