Fake products worth Dh34.5m confiscated
135 seizures were made by Dubai Customs in 2015 for IPR violations
dubai — The Dubai Customs seized millions of counterfeit products for infringing the intellectual property rights (IPR) of major brands in the first quarter of this year.
The forged items seized were part of 54 seizures, valued at Dh34.5 million, in the first three months of 2016, according to a senior official.
Abdullah Al Khaja, Executive Director of the Customer Management Division at the Dubai Customs, made the announcement during the department’s celebration of the World IP Day 2016 on Tuesday.
“The seized goods included electronic equipment, watches, glasses, clothing, perfumes, cosmetics, medicines and medical equipment, tyres, auto spare parts, telephones and accessories, computers and other stuff.”
The protection of intellectual property rights is gaining momentum in the UAE in line with the creative industries’ progress, he added. “Growing impact of digital piracy could add up to £215 billion in lost global revenues, including Mena region’s which exceed £750 million every year.”
The Dubai Customs made 135 seizures of IPR infringing goods, worth around Dh16.8 million in 2015, he stated. “You can only imagine the health and economic impacts if these goods went into our markets.” In 2015, the Dubai Customs organised 31 IPR protection awareness sessions which saw participation of 10,181 people, let alone five workshops to train government employees and inspectors to recognise counterfeits, in collaboration with brand owners, he said. “As many as 184 people took part in these workshops.”
Meanwhile, Major-General Dr Abdul Quddus Abdul Razak Obaidli, Assistant Commandant-General for Quality & Excellence, Dubai Police, and President of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, was named the IP Personality of the Year 2016.
The Ministry of Education, as well as winning schools and universities of Dubai Customs’ IP Awards were also announced. Taking first, second and third places were Al Khaledia Model School for Boys, Al Qalaa Elementary and Secondary School for Girls and Al Zahhra Elementary and Secondary School in Hatta respectively.