Seizures reported last week include one of the largest counterfeiting rings ever discovered in the US, with a reported retail value of $200 million. Items included counterfeit Coach wallets, Burberry handbags, Ralph Lauren clothing and Nike trainers, 10 people have been charged… Other large seizures of counterfeit luxury goods have taken place in Canada and the UK worth $10 million and £2 million respectively … Pirated CDs and DVDs were seized in Cyprus, Malaysia, Russia and the US.

Cases and outcomes reported last week include a French auction watchdog, The French Council of Sales, filing an unprecedented lawsuit against eBay wanting the site declared illegal… The US Supreme Court turned down an appeal by an adult online publisher which alleged that a number of websites and companies enabled the piracy of its online photos.

Policy developments last week include new legislation introduced in the US which will strengthen the laws protecting intellectual property… Thailand’s FDA is set to impose much higher fines on manufacturers, sellers and importers of fake drugs.

Studies and reports out last week include one by two industry bodies in India which has found that the fake auto parts industry accounts for between 32 and 47 percent of the industry … In China a report has found that during a national campaign running since July, 300 drug and medical instrument manufacturers were shut down … Senior health officials in the UAE have warned that up to 50 percent of drugs bought over the internet are counterfeit.