Fight against Product Piracy
In 2008, the EU intensified its initiatives against product piracy. The cornerstones are an increased international cooperation and an optimised coordination of national activities. In September 2008, the French Council Presidency presented conclusions on a global European plan for the fight against imitations and product piracy. Before that, the OECD had already pointed out that an information deficit, but also a data deficit could be determined in connection with product piracy. In future, it is planned that this deficit be rectified by a European monitoring office. Based on the text proposal by the Austrian Patent Office, Austria deposited its preference for immediate measures such as, for example, the further development of existing helpdesks. These should support European companies, in particular SMEs, in the enforcement of their rights in problem countries.
