First Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting

Brussels, Belgium
25-26 May, 2004

Representatives from public and private organizations from across the globe listen to one of many sessions on counterfeiting during the two-day congress.

More than 300 officials from law enforcement, government, inter-governmental bodies and representatives from the private sector and NGOs attended the First Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting in Brussels on 25-26 May 2004 to share views on strategies for curbing growing trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy worldwide. CIPR President Peter B. Necarsulmer and Vice President Tom Thomson were delegates. Several CIPR members and associate memb ers were also in attendance.

Co-sponsored by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Interpol, the Congress spotlighted the barriers impeding the fight against traffickers in the cross-border trade of fake goods, citing the need for better enforcement, stiffer penalties, better training and resources for law enforcement, and increased public awareness of the social-economic consequences of counterfeiting.

The WCO and Interpol estimate that the global trade in fake goods costs over $600 billion every year.

From left to right: Stephen Cole, Congress Chairman and Broadcaster; Michel Danet, Secretary General, WCO; Ronald K. Noble, Secretary General of Interpol; Rita Hayes, Deputy Director General of WIPO; and, Paul Polman, Global Business Leaders Alliance Against Counterfeiting (GBLAAC) President, Procter & Gamble lead the First Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting in Bru ssels in May 2004.

Interpol Secretary General Ron Noble and WCO Secretary General Michel Danet underscored the threat posed by counterfeit goods to the health and safety of consumers and to national security. Both called for more action by government and law enforcement, and partnerships with the private sector.

Delegates were challenged to "think out of the box" on how to broaden the anti-counterfeiting movement's public-private partnership and make it more effective in the fight against sophisticated international criminal and terrorist groups.

"The need for an international allied front to combat counterfeiters has never been greater," said Necarsulmer. "The leadership provided by Inte rpol and the WCO is timely and sends a strong and compelling message to both the public and private sectors that unity of purpose and action are vital in this struggle. CIPR shares these views and stands ready to participate."

A key objective of the Congress was to develop a strategic plan going forward. Major recommendations included: 1) the creation of a Steering Committee, with representation from key public and private stakeholders, to act on the delegation's recommendations; 2) joint efforts to improve anti-counterfeiting laws and to strengthen penalties; 3) the provision of more resources and better training to law enforcement authorities and customs officials; and 4) an increase in public awareness of the full social and economic consequences of product counterfeiting and copyright piracy among all stakeholders.

Tom Thomson, who was also a Roundtable Co-Chair, said: "Delegates from around the world were unanimous that broader cooperation and support of all stakeholders would be vital to combating the growing problem of counterfeiting. They also want to see concrete results. The draft outcome statement is a good first step toward creating the foundation for an expanded partnership between the public and private sector."

The Second Annual Global Congress will be held in 2005 to review progress on the final draft of the Outcome Statement. In the interim, the Steering Committee will be responsible for processing all recommendations and reporting back to the delegates. CIPR members will be periodically updated on significant developments.