Seizures and discoveries include one in the UAE, yielding over 140,000 pairs of counterfeit Ray-Ban sunglasses… In the US, Customs and Border Patrol officials seized over 4000 brand name counterfeit purses… Also in the US, two flea markets were raided and more than $2.2 million worth of pirated music, movies and counterfeit watches were seized… A massive seizure of raw material used in the manufacture of counterfeit pharmaceuticals has taken place in Pakistan… In China, authorities have seized over 8000 counterfeit headphones… Pirated music and movie discs have been seized in raids in India, Kuwait and the US.

Cases and outcomes include off-licences in the UK being fined for selling counterfeit vodka that could cause blindness… Also in the UK, a man has been fined £20,000 after being caught selling thousands of counterfeit DVDs… In a court case in the US a judge has stated that songs illegally downloaded do not necessarily equate to the same number of lost sales to the music industry.

Policy developments include mixed messages regarding illegal downloading of copyrighted content, in the UK. A minister has said that the government will not force ISPs to pursue illegal file sharers, conversely other reports state that legislation is planned that will force ISPs to collect information on offenders of internet piracy… Similarly, the Isle of Man in the UK has proposed to allow unlimited music downloads for a one-off fee… China has promised to do more to fight counterfeit goods in the country after a critical ruling from the World Trade Organization.