17th November 2004
EU COMMISSION ADOPTS NEW IP STRATEGY
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On 10 November, the European Commission adopted a strategy to curb violations of intellectual property rights in third world countries. According to EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, “adopting new legislation on intellectual property is one thing. But devising the right tools to enforce it is another. This is now our priority.” The EC plans to identify countries where intellectual property (IP) enforcement is lacking, and will attempt to provide technical assistance focused on protection of IP to all countries. In addition, violators of European IP will be subjected to possible bilateral and multilateral economic sanctions. Lamy stressed that, “fakes, like pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs, constitute an outright danger to the public, while others undermine the survival of the EU’s most innovative sectors, confronted with the misappropriation of their creations.” He further indicated that the new strategy not only protects IP owners but also citizens who may use dangerous imitation products. According to the EC, the purpose of the new IP strategy is not to create new IP regulations, but rather to enforce IP legislation already agreed to in the WTO, or in multilateral or bilateral agreements. Within this new strategy, the Commission outlined the following goals: identification of priority countries; cultivation of awareness regarding IP laws in third world countries; ensuring the exchange of ideas with other leading IP producers; providing technical assistance to poorer nations focused on enforcement; raising enforcement concerns in WTO, multi and bilateral agreements; making use of dispute settlement; and encouraging public-private partnerships.
“EU strengthens fight against piracy and counterfeiting beyond its borders,” EC RELEASE, 10 November 2004.
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