News from Khaleej Times (here) of enforcement by the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Department in September 2016. The news is that the Economic Department in Ras Al Khaimah are taking action against counterfeit products being sold in a shopping centre, rather than the quantity of goods seized.
Showing posts with label enforcement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label enforcement. Show all posts
Monday, 19 September 2016
Sunday, 26 June 2016
UAE - enforcement in Abu Dhabi so far in 2016 (part 2)
Further to the earlier report (here) of enforcement in Abu Dhabi in 2016, further news from Khaleej Times (here). Of particular interested to this part of the Empty Quarter during this Holy month is that the ADDED has "contributed to the UAE Red Crescent's charity project 'Preserving the Blessing' by donating 10,173 pieces of clothes and shoes, 102 grams of gold and Dh129,960 earned from recycling some of the seized goods."
The full article says:"Abu Dhabi will impose heavy fines on businesses that are involved in commercial fraud by selling fake products. In more serious cases, it could even result in the closure of such business.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) will introduce a number of measures and penalties based on law No (2) of 2009 on the establishment of Added and Resolution No 25 on the regulation of economic activities and licence issuance.
"These authorise the Added to impose penalties that can even reach the closure of any establishment that is involved in commercial fraud," said Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, acting executive director of Abu Dhabi Business Centre.
He was commenting on the joint raids carried out by the Added in cooperation with the municipalities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, Abu Dhabi Police, the Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and the Waste Management Centre.
The Added destroyed 165,000 counterfeit and fake items seized during raids in recent months. The destroyed goods included clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and haircare products, electronics, telephone and mobile phones, tobacco, food products, auto parts accessories, intellectual property works, sanitary items, building materials, medicines, games and gifts.
The Added has contributed to the UAE Red Crescent's charity project 'Preserving the Blessing' by donating 10,173 pieces of clothes and shoes, 102 grams of gold and Dh129,960 earned from recycling some of the seized goods.
Al Mansouri said his department is committed to continue its efforts to combat trading in counterfeit and fraudulent goods and to confiscate them across the emirate of Abu Dhabi through raids.
Al Mansouri commended the efforts of government stakeholders who took part in these raids along with Added inspectors in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
The raids have revealed several malpractices and techniques followed by storekeepers.
He said these raids come as part of an annual plan carried out this year by the Added to combat commercial fraud in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. He stressed the commitment of the Added to protect commercial activities across all sectors, especially those that are directly involved with consumers.
He called on consumers and trademark owners in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to contact the Added on the toll-free number (800555) to report any outlets or persons carrying out commercial fraud."
The full article says:"Abu Dhabi will impose heavy fines on businesses that are involved in commercial fraud by selling fake products. In more serious cases, it could even result in the closure of such business.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) will introduce a number of measures and penalties based on law No (2) of 2009 on the establishment of Added and Resolution No 25 on the regulation of economic activities and licence issuance.
"These authorise the Added to impose penalties that can even reach the closure of any establishment that is involved in commercial fraud," said Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, acting executive director of Abu Dhabi Business Centre.
He was commenting on the joint raids carried out by the Added in cooperation with the municipalities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, Abu Dhabi Police, the Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and the Waste Management Centre.
The Added destroyed 165,000 counterfeit and fake items seized during raids in recent months. The destroyed goods included clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and haircare products, electronics, telephone and mobile phones, tobacco, food products, auto parts accessories, intellectual property works, sanitary items, building materials, medicines, games and gifts.
The Added has contributed to the UAE Red Crescent's charity project 'Preserving the Blessing' by donating 10,173 pieces of clothes and shoes, 102 grams of gold and Dh129,960 earned from recycling some of the seized goods.
Al Mansouri said his department is committed to continue its efforts to combat trading in counterfeit and fraudulent goods and to confiscate them across the emirate of Abu Dhabi through raids.
Al Mansouri commended the efforts of government stakeholders who took part in these raids along with Added inspectors in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
The raids have revealed several malpractices and techniques followed by storekeepers.
He said these raids come as part of an annual plan carried out this year by the Added to combat commercial fraud in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. He stressed the commitment of the Added to protect commercial activities across all sectors, especially those that are directly involved with consumers.
He called on consumers and trademark owners in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to contact the Added on the toll-free number (800555) to report any outlets or persons carrying out commercial fraud."
Monday, 6 June 2016
UAE - enforcement in Abu Dhabi so far in 2016
News from a report in Emirates 24/7 (here) of enforcement by the Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development so far in 2016. The report reads:
"Over 200,000 fakes seized in Abu Dhabi
ADDED launched 247 inspection raids, issued 1555 fines
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s Abu Dhabi Business Center (ADBC) conducted 247 inspection raids in outlets and commercial establishments in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region in the first quarter of 2016, and confiscated 200,428 counterfeit products. These included auto spare parts, electronic devices, clothes, accessories, beauty products and other items.
In it’s Q1, 2016 report, ADDED’s Commercial Protection Division said the raid resulted in issuing 1,555 fines against outlets and establishments that violated laws and regulations of practising business activity in some sectors across the Abu Dhabi.
Seven stores were closed for non-compliance with the emirate’s business practice laws and regulations.
According to the report, 33,164 field visits were conducted to Abu Dhabi’s stores and establishments in Q1 of 2016.
In the same period, the Commercial Protection Division received 945 complaints from consumers and trade mark owners about wrong or illegal practices by some businesses, street vendors and others.
Consumer awareness during Ramadan
Khalifa bin Salem Al Mansouri, ADDED Acting Undersecretary, stressed the ADDED commitment to trace and eliminate all negative practices that will affect the performance of the business environment in Abu Dhabi. He lauded the role of ADDED’s strategic partners across government, semi-government and private sectors in helping the authority achieve its strategic goals of establishing a competitive business environment in the emirate.
During the month of Ramadan, ADDED conducts inspection visits to vegetable and fruit markets, livestock markets and other outlets across the three regions of the emirate in coordination with the Ministry of Economy, he said and added that ADDED also distributes pamphlets to raise consumer awareness during Ramadan.
He called on the public in Abu Dhabi to report any violations to competent bodies, especially ADDED as it is responsible for the regulation of commercial activities in the emirate in coordination with other stakeholders.
Al Mansouri stressed that in line with its endeavours to promote its role in the field of commercial protection in Abu Dhabi, ADDED has initiated procedures to enforce laws of competition and intellectual property protection, to develop electronic platforms to receive consumer complaints, to launch awareness campaigns to ensure consumer rights and protection and to enforce governance mechanisms along with strategic partners in the field of consumer protection.
"The ADDED is now implementing a number of strategic commercial protection projects in cooperation with relevant government partners in the emirate, including the establishment of a consumer protection center, market monitoring, restructuring the retail sector like supermarkets, geographic coding, mobile truck vending, eliminating nominal or mock trade licenses and the provision of the services of the Commercial Protection Division through smart mobile applications.
Raids and complaints
The report also said that 58 inspection raids were conducted in January to trace commercial fraud and combat negative practices in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. They resulted in confiscating 2,126 electronic devices, clothes and accessories in addition to 234 sheep from street vendors.
There were 88 raids in February, resulting in the seizure of 162,816 items, including counterfeit car spare parts, electronic devices, clothes, accessories, beauty products. Apart from these 27.5 tonnes of vegetables and fruits and 3 tonnes of clothes and household items were also confiscated from street vendors.
In March 101 inspection visits resulted in the confiscation of 35,486 items including car spare parts, electronic devices, clothes, accessories, beauty products as well as 10,220 Kg of vegetables and fruits.
Region-wise, the report noted that the city of Abu Dhabi has seen 19,657 field inspection visits to stores and commercial establishments during the first quarter of 2016. During these visits, 761 fines were issued. The Commercial Protection Division received 490 complaints from customers and trade name owners in the city.
In Al Ain, 8,963 field inspection visits were made to stores and commercial establishments during the same period, in which 707 fines were issued. The Commercial Protection Division received 441 complaints from customers and trade name owners in the Al Ain.
As for the Western Region, 4,544 field inspection visits were conducted in the first quarter, where 87 fines were issued against violators. The Commercial Protection Division received only 19 complaints from customers and trade name owners in the Western Region."
"Over 200,000 fakes seized in Abu Dhabi
ADDED launched 247 inspection raids, issued 1555 fines
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s Abu Dhabi Business Center (ADBC) conducted 247 inspection raids in outlets and commercial establishments in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region in the first quarter of 2016, and confiscated 200,428 counterfeit products. These included auto spare parts, electronic devices, clothes, accessories, beauty products and other items.
In it’s Q1, 2016 report, ADDED’s Commercial Protection Division said the raid resulted in issuing 1,555 fines against outlets and establishments that violated laws and regulations of practising business activity in some sectors across the Abu Dhabi.
Seven stores were closed for non-compliance with the emirate’s business practice laws and regulations.
According to the report, 33,164 field visits were conducted to Abu Dhabi’s stores and establishments in Q1 of 2016.
In the same period, the Commercial Protection Division received 945 complaints from consumers and trade mark owners about wrong or illegal practices by some businesses, street vendors and others.
Consumer awareness during Ramadan
Khalifa bin Salem Al Mansouri, ADDED Acting Undersecretary, stressed the ADDED commitment to trace and eliminate all negative practices that will affect the performance of the business environment in Abu Dhabi. He lauded the role of ADDED’s strategic partners across government, semi-government and private sectors in helping the authority achieve its strategic goals of establishing a competitive business environment in the emirate.
During the month of Ramadan, ADDED conducts inspection visits to vegetable and fruit markets, livestock markets and other outlets across the three regions of the emirate in coordination with the Ministry of Economy, he said and added that ADDED also distributes pamphlets to raise consumer awareness during Ramadan.
He called on the public in Abu Dhabi to report any violations to competent bodies, especially ADDED as it is responsible for the regulation of commercial activities in the emirate in coordination with other stakeholders.
Al Mansouri stressed that in line with its endeavours to promote its role in the field of commercial protection in Abu Dhabi, ADDED has initiated procedures to enforce laws of competition and intellectual property protection, to develop electronic platforms to receive consumer complaints, to launch awareness campaigns to ensure consumer rights and protection and to enforce governance mechanisms along with strategic partners in the field of consumer protection.
"The ADDED is now implementing a number of strategic commercial protection projects in cooperation with relevant government partners in the emirate, including the establishment of a consumer protection center, market monitoring, restructuring the retail sector like supermarkets, geographic coding, mobile truck vending, eliminating nominal or mock trade licenses and the provision of the services of the Commercial Protection Division through smart mobile applications.
Raids and complaints
The report also said that 58 inspection raids were conducted in January to trace commercial fraud and combat negative practices in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. They resulted in confiscating 2,126 electronic devices, clothes and accessories in addition to 234 sheep from street vendors.
There were 88 raids in February, resulting in the seizure of 162,816 items, including counterfeit car spare parts, electronic devices, clothes, accessories, beauty products. Apart from these 27.5 tonnes of vegetables and fruits and 3 tonnes of clothes and household items were also confiscated from street vendors.
In March 101 inspection visits resulted in the confiscation of 35,486 items including car spare parts, electronic devices, clothes, accessories, beauty products as well as 10,220 Kg of vegetables and fruits.
Region-wise, the report noted that the city of Abu Dhabi has seen 19,657 field inspection visits to stores and commercial establishments during the first quarter of 2016. During these visits, 761 fines were issued. The Commercial Protection Division received 490 complaints from customers and trade name owners in the city.
In Al Ain, 8,963 field inspection visits were made to stores and commercial establishments during the same period, in which 707 fines were issued. The Commercial Protection Division received 441 complaints from customers and trade name owners in the Al Ain.
As for the Western Region, 4,544 field inspection visits were conducted in the first quarter, where 87 fines were issued against violators. The Commercial Protection Division received only 19 complaints from customers and trade name owners in the Western Region."
Good work
Sunday, 29 May 2016
Oman - WIPO seminar on enforcement of Intellectual Property
News from the Oman News Agency (here) of a seminar conducted with WIPO on the enforcement of intellectual property in Oman. The report reads:
"Muscat, May 16 (ONA) ---- Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Royal Oman Police and the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organized today a seminar at PACI's HQs' on enforcing the intellectual property rights law by law enforcement officers.
The opening ceremony of the seminar was sponsored by Maj. Gen Sulaiman bin Mohammed al- Harthy, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Financial and Administrative Affairs who said that the seminar comes as one of a series of seminars that aim at protecting the national products and preventing the entry of imitated products to the Sultanate through land and marine ports.
The first seminar sessions included a number of topics, such as the different intellectual property rights, adopting a balanced approach in enforcing these rights and the legalnational framework through which the IP rights can be enforced."
"Muscat, May 16 (ONA) ---- Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Royal Oman Police and the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organized today a seminar at PACI's HQs' on enforcing the intellectual property rights law by law enforcement officers.
The opening ceremony of the seminar was sponsored by Maj. Gen Sulaiman bin Mohammed al- Harthy, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Financial and Administrative Affairs who said that the seminar comes as one of a series of seminars that aim at protecting the national products and preventing the entry of imitated products to the Sultanate through land and marine ports.
The first seminar sessions included a number of topics, such as the different intellectual property rights, adopting a balanced approach in enforcing these rights and the legalnational framework through which the IP rights can be enforced."
Thursday, 24 September 2015
Iran - enforcement
There is a summary of enforcement options in Iran from good friends Saba & Co in their September 2015 bulletin here.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Enforcement against parallel imports in Dubai
News today, although no official announcement, that the Dubai Department for Economic Development has a new section dealing specifically with enforcement against parallel imports where there is a registered commercial agency agreement. The Commercial Agencies section will take action against parallel imports when a complaint is filed. A copy of the agency registration must accompany the complaint. Traders will be asked to sell the goods to the registered commercial agent and fines will be the same as those issued for trade mark infringement (starting at Dhs2,000).
This part of the Empty Quarter welcomes this news. If laws exist then so should the mechanisms to enforce them. The Dubai Department for Economic Development has a good record for enforcing trade mark rights and can bring that experience to the enforcement of the Commercial Agency Law. However, this part of the Empty Quarter can't help but feel that maintaining a system that allows one company to have a monopoly on the import of certain products is not good for consumers and that the original justification to support the creation of local trading businesses is not now as strong as it used to be.
This part of the Empty Quarter welcomes this news. If laws exist then so should the mechanisms to enforce them. The Dubai Department for Economic Development has a good record for enforcing trade mark rights and can bring that experience to the enforcement of the Commercial Agency Law. However, this part of the Empty Quarter can't help but feel that maintaining a system that allows one company to have a monopoly on the import of certain products is not good for consumers and that the original justification to support the creation of local trading businesses is not now as strong as it used to be.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Good work by the Dubai Department of Economic Development
This part of the Empty Quarter really likes good news and while
practice in the region can be frustrating and require significant patience
there are days when a piece of good news arrives to lighten the day. This item
of good news comes from this part of the Empty Quarter’s own practice.
The Dubai Department of Economic Development have long taken
action in the markets in Dubai. The inspectors have a good knowledge of the
traders and of many products. In general, they will take action in response to
a complaint being filed. Occasionally, they will take action proactively. In
one recent example, the DDED proactive raided 4 traders, seizing about 200
counterfeit items in total. The DDED levied fines totalling nearly Dhs50,000
against the 4 traders – that is over US$3,000 per trader or US$65 per item.
Good news for the rights holder concerned and for consumers.
Well done to the Dubai Department of Economic Development.
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