Seizures and discoveries last week include 10,000 counterfeit items found in raids on numerous properties in the UK… 51,000 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes have been seized in Canada which could represent $1.1 million in unpaid taxes… Pirated CDs, DVDs and software were seized in the Philippines, the UK and the US.

Cases and outcomes include charges being bought against the four men who run The Pirate Bay, in Sweden, for conspiracy to break copyright law… An Australian woman has been given a suspended jail sentence and a fine after being caught running a sophisticated DVD pirating operation.

Policy developments last week include China and the EU agreeing to set up a network to share information to fight product counterfeiting of medications, toys, food and auto parts that pose a threat to public safety… The European Court of Justice ruled that countries can refuse to disclose the names of illegal files sharers in civil cases… The Director General of NAFDAC, Nigeria’s Food and Drug Administration, has called for life sentences, with no option of fine, for dealers of fake and counterfeit drugs saying the current law against drug counterfeiting and adulteration was “too weak”.

Studies and reports out include one showing that Chinese authorities have cracked down on 1,301 infringement cases since 1 October 2007, a rise of 52 percent compared to last year.