FICCI, BSA launch IPR tool Kit for custom officials

BSA along with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI) launched an intellectual property tool kit in Ahmedabad for customs officials. The tool kit will serve as a ready reckoner of relevant laws and methodologies to identify counterfeit products and handle copyright infringement issues.

Following the tool kit launch, FICCI and BSA, in association with Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) organized a capacity building program on IPR for customs officials in Ahmedabad. “The launch of the Intellectual Property Tool Kit for Customs is a welcome initiative as it will help the enforcement agency officials to handle cases of counterfeiting and other illegal trade practices more effectively,” said Samir Vakil, Executive Director, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation.

“We believe that India has a strong existing legal framework for protection of IP rights. However, there is a need to strengthen the enforcement of such laws. Sensitizing enforcement officials to deal with IP matters as they would with other economic offenses is the key,” said Yolynd Lobo, India Director, BSA.

The initiative by BSA and FICCI aims to increase awareness on the importance of Intellectual Property compliance and enforcement especially among key stakeholders such as the Government, academia and industry at large. In the first phase, the IPR tool kit has been launched in Gujarat with capacity building workshops hosted by FICCI and BSA for the law enforcement agencies. As part of this collaborative initiative, awareness building programs are also being organized in Gujarat, particularly for micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the risks and disadvantages of using pirated goods.

The launch of the IPR Tool Kit for Customs officials is part of the series of initiatives under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between FICCI and BSA. The two organizations are working together to create awareness regarding risks of IP rights infringement and building capacities for law enforcement agencies on IP.