WIPO Meeting Discusses Criminal Enforcement Of IP Rights
by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels
13 November 2007
The effectiveness of enforcing intellectual property (IP) rights under criminal law was the focus of discussions at a recent meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) in Geneva.
The ACE was set up by WIPO member states in 2002 as a forum for discussion of enforcement matters, with a mandate to cooperate with other intergovernmental organizations and the private sector to combat counterfeiting and piracy activities; undertake public education; provide assistance to member states on request; to coordinate national and regional training programs for all relevant stakeholders; and to facilitate the exchange of information on enforcement issues.
The Committee heard presentations on the criminal enforcement of IP laws in
various jurisdictions, and considered issues such as the scope and definition
of IP crimes, investigation and initiation of criminal proceedings, jurisdiction,
means of streamlining proceedings, evidentiary issues, sentencing options and
level of penalties.
“This session of the Advisory Committee on Enforcement has been extremely
useful in identifying opportunities for improved coordination and cooperation
among stakeholders to streamline criminal enforcement issues”, announced
Dr Kamil Idris, Director General of WIPO, following the meeting.
He continued: “The obvious commitment of all member states to join forces
in developing effective strategies to counter these insidious problems of counterfeiting
and piracy is most welcome."
The Committee agreed that it should continue to provide a platform for the exchange
of country experiences. The Chairman, Hassan El-Badrawi, Assistant Minister
of Justice for Parliamentary Affairs in Egypt, invited representatives of the
different regional groups to continue consultations on possible themes for discussion
in its next session, and to submit proposals to the WIPO Secretariat by the
end of February 2008.
To see today's news, click here.
Tax-News Reviews

A review and forecast of Cyprus's international business, legal and investment climate.

A review and forecast of Malta's international business, legal and investment climate.

A review and forecast of Jersey's international business, legal and investment climate.

A review of the latest budget news and government financial statements from around the world.
Stay Updated
Please enter your email address to join the Tax-News.com mailing list. View previous newsletters.
By subscribing to our newsletter service, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
To manage your mailing list preferences, please click here »
Network Blogs and Features
- Tax Reforms A-Go-Go »
- Equity Compensation in Startup - Guide »
- Governments Go Easy on Taxpayers... »
- Digital Doings... »
- UAE Onshore Trust Law: Broadening the scope of wealth preservation solutions in the region »
- FDI Sees Ireland Through Covid and Brexit, Solidifying its Reputation as a European Base for Multinational Corporations »
- Transfer Pricing Tidbits »
- Court Case Catch-Up »
- UK's Tax Agenda Topped Up »
- Trusts Act 2019: New Zealand Foreign - or 'Offshore' - Trust Changes »