EU komt tot nieuwe regelgeving intellectueel eigendom (en)

The Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper I) endorsed today, the outcome of the trilogue held on December 19 2012, where the two co-legislators, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the proposal for a new Regulation on Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The new regulation aims to further reinforce the legal framework for customs’ actions in order to contribute to the protection of property rights in the EU territory and subsequently of citizens and businesses.

The new Regulation ensures that customs measures and procedures are effective; improves the IPR enforcement at the border while reducing the administrative and economic burdens on customs and right holders. Customs authorities can be provided with high quality information for a better risk management, thus ensuring the interests of the legitimate trade. The regulation also aims to tackle the trade in small consignments of counterfeit goods sent by post as the overwhelming majority of these goods results from internet sales.

Customs enforcement of IPRs is supported by a multi-annual EU action plan that aims to improve the effectiveness of customs control, strengthen cooperation with industry and international partners and raise awareness of consumers to the negative consequences of buying IPR infringing goods. A new Action Plan for the years 2013-2017 was endorsed by the Competitiveness Council on December 11 2012.

To enter into force, the agreement still needs the formal approval by the Council and the European Parliament. The decision by the Council will follow the plenary vote in the European Parliament early 2013.