WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3958/98 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Counterfeit goods
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: Central and Eastern European countries, customs cooperation, industrial counterfeiting, industrial property, intellectual property, investment abroad, judicial cooperation, piracy, police cooperation

21.7.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 207/151

The products included in the programme will be delivered in several consecutive steps. The Russian
government will on a monthly basis transmit reports on the implementation of the programme to the
Commission. The reports will contain all necessary details on the implementation of the programme (by
product and by region) as well as a record of the special account and its use.

The Court of auditors of the Community has the right to carry out audits in the Russian Federation related to
the food supply programme. Pursuant to Article 1(4) of Council Regulation (EC) 2802/98 of 17 December
1998, the memorandum will provide for monitoring, auditing, control and evaluation activities to be carried
out within the Russian territory, in particular by the Court of auditors or by outside bodies delegated by the
Commission for the purpose. The Commission will call on outside technical assistance for monitoring,
auditing, control and evaluation of the proper conduct of the operation.

If the Commission receives information which gives it reason to doubt the proper implementation of the food
supply programme, the Commission may suspend the operation.

(1999/C 207/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3958/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Counterfeit goods

According to reports by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Central and Eastern Europe have become a
thriving market for counterfeit goods, as Asia has been for some time, and such goods are reaching the EU’s
internal market via those regions. Counterfeit goods production is also a major obstacle to increases in EU
investment in Eastern Europe, as businesses see that they will not enjoy the requisite legal protection in the
countries concerned.

How will the Commission step up its efforts to combat the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit goods
in Eastern Europe? What will the Commission do to improve cooperation with the authorities of Eastern
European countries in this regard?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The lack of sufficient and effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Central and
Eastern European countries (CEECs) is of concern to the Commission. The Commission agrees that piracy and
counterfeiting activities are important obstacles for foreign investment.

Under the Europe agreements the CEECs have committed themselves to provide a level of intellectual property
protection similar to that existing in the Community. The combat of counterfeiting production is primarily the
responsibility of each of the countries concerned, but the Commission is closely monitoring the evolution of
intellectual property protection in Central and Eastern Europe. In general, there is good co-operation between
the authorities of the CEECs and the Commission. Progress has been made in all countries, in particular in
Poland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic where new legislation or practical measures within the police force,
customs authorities and the judicial system have recently been introduced. The Commission has regularly
raised, in its contacts with the CEECs, the issue of counterfeiting practices and piracy and it will continue to do
so. Moreover, since 1992 the Commission has given technical assistance to the national authorities through
the Phare programme, in particular through the multi-country programmes concerning intellectual and
industrial property. Legal support and training of prosecutors,
judges, customs and police officials are
important features of its assistance.