Seizures and discoveries last week include a $9.5 million haul in the US, comprising counterfeit sunglasses, t-shirts, videos, watches and other luxury goods… A raid in Macedonia has again highlighted the link between counterfeiting and organised crime, with 28 people arrested and the confiscation of 15 tons of counterfeit tobacco, 17 automatic weapons and 10 handguns… In Australia, customs have seized a shipment of counterfeit Toyota car parts, including poor-quality brake pads… Large seizures of pirated DVDs and CDs also took place in Brazil and Russia.

Cases and outcomes last week include Louis Vuitton being awarded over $3.5 million in damages and fees in its lawsuit against LY USA for counterfeiting and infringement… A company in the UK has been fined for importing and selling unlicensed tablets and capsules from India… In Denmark, a man has been fined for illegally sharing 13,000 music tracks over the internet.

Policy developments last week include the Indian government passing a bill increasing the minimum sentence to 10 years in prison for those found guilty of manufacturing and selling fake drugs that are likely to cause death or serious injury. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned 22 Indian pharmaceutical firms from importing and distributing drugs in Nigeria.

Studies and reports out last week include one from Australia concluding that television piracy is thriving in the country… A survey carried out in Japan found that 52.4 percent of people were prepared to buy counterfeit and pirated goods.