In 2003, Guangdong Customs Office, by carefully implementing the instructions of the General Administration for Customs and the Provincial Government in strengthening IPR protection and, working under the guideline of "administering by the rule of law, safeguarding the national interests, serving the economy and promoting development", strengthened the awareness of IPR border protection on the basis of establishing and improving operation mechanism, made full use of the pivotal role of information and intelligence, intensified comprehensive management as well as cooperation with Hong Kong Customs in IP protection, actively launched diverse special law enforcement actions, maintained strict suppression on IP infringing goods crossing borders; as a result of these efforts, significant achievements were witnessed in terms of safeguarding a healthy import/export environment and the legal interests of IP owners.

In 2003, altogether 339 cases were seized and investigated by Guangdong Customs, up 85.2% over the previous year, involving 32,160,000 (32 million and 160 thousand) RMB worth of goods. Among those cases, 330 were related to trademark infringement, involving 31,370,000  RMB worth of goods; eight to patent infringement, 790,000 RMB; one to Olympic marks. Seventy-four cases were seized smuggling over 10,000 CDs, involving altogether 70,980,000 (70 million and 980 thousand) CDs, two illegal CD production lines, capable of manufacturing 11,000,000 (11 million) CDs were destroyed. These law enforcement actions, apart from effectively suppressing IP infringement activities, protecting IP owners' interests, and safeguarding normal trade order, further optimized the environment for investment in Guangdong Customs areas.

Source: Office of Intellectual Property Protection Committee of the People¡¯s Government of Guangdong Province

Translated by: Li wei

Editor: Wing