Incidents reported last week include a massive operation by the FBI called “Operation Site Down” designed to dismantle criminal organisations that were selling pirated goods over the internet. An estimated $50 million worth of pirated works were seized in numerous raids…A number of raids took place in Thailand last week seizing counterfeit clothing, films and music…Other seizures of similar goods took place in the US, China, UK and India.

Policy developments reported last week include Canada asking to join the US’ WTO complaint into China’s IP policies…Important legislation was passed by the EU parliament last week that will impose harsher penalties, including imprisonment, on intellectual property criminals…Customs in India have new powers that authorise them to seize counterfeit and pirated goods…In Japan a new treaty has been drafted with the US forming an international effort to crack down on counterfeit goods.

Studies reported last week include one by the American Chamber of Commerce that surveyed companies in China and found that many of them thought counterfeiting has increased, conversely, another similar study released by AmCham China found that companies thought the situation regarding IPR infringement in China had improved.

General news last week saw the global celebration of World Intellectual Property Day on 26th April.