In the wake of the ever-increasing international trade, Customs has broader accountability towards border control and IP protections, since there cannot be an any better solution for IP protection than seizing counterfeit goods at the border itself.

After conducting IPR training at various ports across India, United IPR organized a training session at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Mumbai which consisted of lectures on IPR laws & the role of Customs in IPR enforcement & product identification techniques of various brands with the probationary officers of the Indian Revenue Services (IRS), who would assume crucial roles and responsibilities at various Commissionerates and will be at the forefront in border protection measures.

Objective

  • Streamlining the IPR enforcement mechanism in the country;
  • Stimulating increase in the number of interdictions on account of IPR violations in the country;
  • Equip the upcoming officers with the relevant contact points in case of seizures or queries about IPR Enforcement;
  • Share crucial identification tips with the officers and develop intelligence against fakes based on the inputs shared by the right-holders;

Participants & Attendees

The training was held at NACIN, Mumbai on 23rd October 2017 which was presided over by the Mr. Girish Tilwe, Assistant Director – NACIN (Mumbai) and attended by approximately 40 probationary officers from the Indian Revenue Services (IRS). The participating right-holders included Procter & Gamble, Apple, Nike, Coty, Nivea, Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari & Vans.

Outcome

Thereby, such enforcement training lead to increased awareness about IP rights amongst officials of enforcement agencies, which also includes customs, which in turn assists them in handling cases relating to IPRs in their day-to-day functioning.