280 firms move customs dept on import of fake products

Around 300 companies including several multi-nationals have registered their protests with the customs department alleging import of fake imitations of their products into Indian markets.

Around 300 companies including several multi-nationals have registered their protests with the customs department alleging import of fake imitations of their products into Indian markets. These companies include mega brands like Sony,Adidas,Nokia,Nivea,Garnier,LOréal,Revlon,Johnson and Johnson,Axe,Dove and Bosch-Mico.

Based on their complaints the customs department which has collated the data through its newly-developed web-based tracking system known as the Automatic Recordation and Targeting for IPR Protection (ARTS) has inferred that the menace of piracy is no longer confined to easy-to-manufacture products,rather sophisticated items like Nokia mobile phones are also being faked. Through ARTS,firms can submit online IPR notice,upload images of genuine goods and trademarks signs,upload images of infringing goods,etc.

A source in the department told The Indian Express that ever since the department developed the software to enable companies to register their complaints online,some 280 companies have come forward. We have received complaints from Nokia that counterfeit electronic equipment closely resembling Nokia have been imported, the source said.

The emerging trend is that various sectors like mechanical spare parts,fast-moving consumer goods and electronic components,fashion accessories,clothing,cigarettes,digital media and software industry have all become victims of counterfeit products,the source said.

The source said there has also been a surge in the imports of pirated gaming CDs from Malaysia,Singapore and Dubai,while pirated DVDs and VCDs of Tamil,Hindi and English movies have also increased. They are hidden in household items like biscuit tins and milk powder containers to save them from detection,the source said. This is acting as a huge disincentive to research and innovation of products in the country while at the same time impact the tax revenue as these products are largely manufactured by unorganised sector,thus out of tax net, the source said.

However,the source said the customs department is working on various possible solutions regarding the problem. The department is also working towards further scrutinising the traffic along the borders. In 2007,the department had issued a notification for synchronising provisions of IPR law and customs law so as to prohibit import of goods infringing provisions of Trademarks Act,Copyright Acts,Designs Act,Geographical Indications Act and Patent Act.