Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/15 |

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(2004/C 84 E/0017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2195/03

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Council

(2 July 2003)

Subject:   Counterfeiting and piracy

It has been forecast that counterfeiting and piracy will cost EU companies with international activities between EUR 400 and EUR 800 million per annum in the internal market and EUR 2 000 million outside it. In addition, Member States suffer enormous loss of revenue from the smuggling of excised goods. Can the Council give assurances that cooperation to deal with this problem will be discussed at forthcoming meetings of Justice and Home Affairs and Internal Market Ministers?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

In February 2003, the Council and the European Parliament had before them a proposal for a Directive on measures and procedures to ensure the enforcement of intellectual property rights (2003/0024(COD)).

This proposal is currently being examined in detail within the Council bodies pending the opinion of the European Parliament at first reading (scheduled for November 2003). The Council can ensure you that it will continue to accord this proposal the priority it deserves.

In this context, it should be noted that on 22 July 2003 the Council also adopted a Regulation concerning customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights and the measures to be taken against goods found to have infringed such rights[(1)](#ntr1-CE2004084EN.01001502-E0001). The Regulation forms part of the more general framework of cooperation and mutual assistance between customs administrations at Community level.

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