Fake goods in firing line

FAKING IT: The Dubai Declaration will be adopted by countries across the world in the fight against counterfeit goods. (Dubai Customs)

Dubai Customs on Monday announced a set of tough new guidelines in a bid to combat the rising tide of counterfeit and pirated goods worldwide.

The ‘Dubai Declaration’ includes 25 recommendations drawn up at the 4th Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy, hosted by Dubai Customs in February.

The guidelines, which will be adopted worldwide, are a joint effort by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Trademark Association and the International Security Management Association.

The guidelines say young consumers must be educated about the dangers and consequences of counterfeiting and piracy, most obviously from counterfeit medicines, but also from fake auto parts, toys and electrical goods.

Key points include the need for better coordination between countries, and for more to be done to encourage cooperation between governments and the private sector.

According to the declaration, improved legislation and enforcement is also needed with a new set of standards to be developed at national and regional levels for effective civil and criminal remedies and border measures.

Other issues include skills development, increased public awareness, free trade zones and the sale of fake and pirated goods over the Internet.

Director general of Dubai Customs Ahmed Butti Ahmed sent out a stark warning to counterfeiters, saying that “you cannot bring counterfeit goods, you cannot be here. We’re in the government to fight you”.

“We already have punishments under laws issued by the GCC Council. Sometimes we don’t implement it 100%, sometimes we compromise. But now with this declaration we will put more cases through our courts,” Ahmed said.

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