Dubai Customs seize counterfeit goods worth Dh72 million

Dubai - 133 seized items include electronics, watches, eyewear, fabrics, perfumes and cosmetics

Dubai Customs seized 133 counterfeited items worth Dh72.584 million, for infringing the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), in the first half of 2017.
Yousef Ozair Mubarak, director of Dubai Customs' IPR Department, said they take a firm stand against intellectual property rights infringements, to protect the economy from the harm caused by counterfeit goods.
"We are all set to support a competitive investment environment in Dubai by enabling producers to avoid losses arising from the imitation of their brands."
The seized goods included electronics, watches, eyewear, clothing, fabrics, perfumes and cosmetics, medicines and medical equipment, tyres, auto spare parts, telephones and accessories, computers and other imports.
"Intellectual property rights protection gains double importance in the current stage of our national economy's evolution, particularly now that the UAE is focusing on creativity and innovation in government work and the society at large."
IPR protection is a top priority at Dubai Customs, he noted. "We are working to improve our performance in dealing with counterfeit goods, by providing the best training levels for staff and inspectors in the circuit. This enables them to detect counterfeiting and piracy efficiently, backed by the best technologies in control and inspection."
Ozair pointed out that Dubai Customs equips its centres with the most advanced inspection equipment. "We also cooperate with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and with other relevant authorities to coordinate efforts against counterfeiting."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai