Incidents reported last week include raids on a number of markets in the US which yielded a large number and variety of counterfeit goods estimated to be worth $750,000… Luxury goods from China were seized at a port in Spain… Pirated movies, music and software seizures also took place in a number of countries including India, the US, Taiwan and the Philippines… Other seizures yielded counterfeit shoes in Germany and the US.

Policy developments reported last week include Chinese authorities launching a five year plan to create stronger export controls after a number of health scandals involving counterfeit pharmaceutical and food products…The Malaysian government has approved plans to set up a copyright court which should be in operation by the end of the year… In India, new legislation has been passed which will allow companies to ban the import of any goods which infringe IPRs.

Studies and reports out last week include OECD's The Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy which estimates the cost of counterfeiting and piracy traded between international borders, and confirms the ICC’s stance on counterfeiting and piracy.

General news stories... The G8 leaders at their yearly summit 'strongly reaffirmed' their commitment to protecting intellectual property rights by combating piracy and counterfeiting. This was following a letter sent to each leader by the ICC urging them to take action on the matter.