WIPO To Host Global Anti-Counterfeiting And Piracy Meeting

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

14 November 2006

The Third Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy, convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO), will be held in Geneva on January 30 and 31, 2007 under the banner 'Shared Challenges - Common Goals'.

The Congress is being held with the support and cooperation of a number of international business organizations, namely, the Global Business Leaders Alliance Against Counterfeiting (GBLAAC), the International Trademarks Association (INTA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Security Management Association (ISMA).

According to WIPO:

"The Global Congress has become a key international forum for addressing the transnational nature of trade in counterfeit and pirated goods, for shaping practical enforcement strategies and developing and implementing international recommendations and programs to combat this illegal trade which threatens economic development, consumers’ health and safety, and good governance."

"The Third Global Congress aims to build on the process that began with the first such event in Brussels in 2004, bringing together top government and private sector representatives to pool their experience, enhance international coordination and cooperation and seek more effective solutions in pursuit of the common goal of ending the global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods."

A number of high level officials are expected to address the meeting, including heads of government, top officials of the convening organizations, key business leaders and industry organizations. Participants will include government ministers and policy-makers, business leaders, senior law enforcement officials, judges, stakeholders from non-governmental organizations and industry groups.

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