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In the next edition of our series on physical marketplaces across the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to Thailand.

A Korean government crackdown on alleged copycat brands has seen two businesses have offices shut down, and product seizures in shops operating overseas. WTR consulted Korean practitioners to ascertain how foreign brands need to adapt to stay safe of the campaign.

Customs plays a pivotal role in intercepting incoming shipments of counterfeit and pirated goods en route to the Thai market. A special feature of the Customs Act BE 2560 (2017) gives customs officials the authority to intervene ex officio to detain and seize suspicious counterfeit and pirated goods. 

The EUIPO has released a new report, compiling research since 2013, to present a comprehensive and updated picture of the scope and impact of IP rights infringement in the European Union.

The new Thailand Customs Act, which was published in the Government Gazette, will come into force on November 13 2017. The act will replace the current Customs Act BE 2469 (1926) and its subsequent amendments.

In the second of a two-part series, we profile markets which were omitted from the Office of the US Trade Representative’s Notorious Markets List, but which brand owners should have on their radars. This issue, we turn our attention to Asia and Africa

Earlier this month, a dawn raid on a notorious counterfeit market sparked a riot that left 12 Thai law enforcement agents injured. The raid was masterminded by a low-profile consortium of high-profile trademark owners; its chairman tells World Trademark Review that the violent reaction proves it is doing real damage to counterfeiters’ businesses.

The Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre has recently developed a software program that brand owners can use to record their marks for monitoring. The database will provide the most up-to-date contact details for trademark owners or their representatives, as well as information about the trademarks registered with the Department of Intellectual Property.

As part of the country's fight against counterfeiting, Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property has proposed amendments to the copyright and trademark laws which, if adopted, will broaden the scope of punishable offences under the law. However, the ambiguous wording of the amendments has raised some concerns.

The king of Thailand may have received a special IP prize from WIPO, but brand owners in the country are severely critical of the country's 'temporary' anti-counterfeiting plans. WTR spoke to brand owners and practitioners on the ground to hear what should be done.

The Thai Ministry of Commerce has drafted a new Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation in Suppression of Sales of Infringing Products. The memorandum supplements an earlier version and seeks to coordinate the efforts of the private sector, policy agencies and law enforcement bodies to counter sales of counterfeit and pirate goods in otherwise legitimate shopping centres.

Thai courts have shown their commitment to the protection of designs by charging two jeans manufacturers with design patents infringement - a rare occurrence - and trademark infringement in two separate cases. The local manufacturers had imitated pattern and stitching designs in which Levi Strauss & Co has rights.

Thailand, like many other countries, has experienced an increase in the number of online vendors of unauthorized goods within its territory. However, a series of successful raids against a sophisticated counterfeiting operation has demonstrated that the machinery and willingness to trace and prosecute online IP infringers exists in Thailand.

A new division within the Royal Thai Customs has been created. It is hoped that the new body, known as the Investigation and Suppression of Intellectual Property Violations Division, will further help to stem the trade in counterfeit goods. The creation of this new division is part of a move to improve border and customs controls in Thailand.

Two decisions issued by the Thai Intellectual Property and International Trade Court seem to signal a new regime of harsher punishment for convicted counterfeiters. The court has been the target of criticism, particularly from foreign commentators, suggesting that the sentences imposed on offenders have been too lenient and have done little to curb counterfeiting in Thailand.