Policy developments include the Russian president’s decree to set up a new intellectual property service in the country. A proven track record on intellectual property is a joining condition of the World Trade Organisation, to which Russia is attempting to gain membership... The European Commission reportedly wants internet service providers to help fight copyright theft at source, according to a leaked document. The document also states that the Commission plans to appoint a mediation copyright levy on electronic goods such as MP3 players... Members of the US Senate Judiciary Committee have reintroduced a bill aimed at curbing the sale of counterfeit items online. Leading members of the committee say the bill will crack down on the worst offenders... 

Studies and reports include a study by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) that shows software piracy to have reached the figure of USD 59 billion globally in 2010. The BSA reports showed a 14% increase in software piracy as compared to 2009, and targets emerging markets as the most troublesome regions for software producers... The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has argued, in a recent report, that infringement of intellectual property rights in China undermine their competitive position. The reports also notes losses to American business deriving from China’s indigenous innovation policies...

Seizures and discoveries include Canadian authorities discovering a shipment of fake cigarettes from China at port of Vancouver. The consignment, concealed inside a shipping container, contained 50,000 cartons of cigarettes which were thought to be worth CAD 3.5 million... Printer manufacturer Fuji Xerox conducted raids in China and Thailand that netted counterfeit toner products worth nearly USD 200,000. The premises of the raids in China were discovered after a factory was identified that produced fake Fuji Xerox cartridges and it was later discovered that 60 workers were employed in the plant... Authorities in the Philippines have seized more than USD 230,000 worth of counterfeit Lacoste products in separate raids across Manila. The raids were conducted following complaints from Lacoste regarding the proliferation of fake Lacoste products across the Philippines...

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General stories include news  that the recording industry has engaged with payment providers and law enforcement to combat the illegal online sale of music. In effect, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry passes over information on illegal downloads to the City of London police, who then contact the providers through whom payment is made in order that appropriate action be taken... The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is to assist South American countries in improving services to local and national users of the IP system. WIPO will assist nine countries in the region develop a platform to support IP... The United States has stated that Chinese search engine Baidu contains many links to websites peddling counterfeit goods. The search engine was amongst 33 companies in several countries that facilitate trade in music, clothing and other goods that are fake or unauthorised copies...

Cases include several large Hollywood studios losing a case against an Australian internet provider, with the court finding that the provider was not responsible for customers illegally downloading films. A ruling in favour of the studios would have made all of Australia’s internet providers liable for their customers’ conduct... A Texas man has been charged with illegally streaming leading sports events and other contact over the internet. The man allegedly made USD 90,000 in advertising revenues from the site and has been charged with criminal infringement of a copyright... A London gang has been jailed for planning to manufacture half a million counterfeit tablets. All three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud after police uncovered their plans to produce fake drugs worth GBP 1.6 million...

Seizures include US customs authorities seizing a consignment of fake iPads at a Puerto Rican port. The swoop, at Port of Ponce, was on a consignment inbound for China. The goods had been falsely declared as digital photo frames... South African police have arrested 95 people and seized counterfeit goods worth R7 million as part of a major operation in Johannesburg. In addition to the goods and arrests, the swoop also netted quantities of cocaine, along with stolen vehicles... Jamaica’s Customs Department has seized over 4 million fake Marlboro cigarettes. The goods, reportedly originating in China, were seized at Kingston container terminal...

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