Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT39
2006-01-04 13:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT IPR: CUSTOMS DRAMATICALLY INCREASES
how-toVZCZCXRO2362 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHKU #0039 0041335 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 041335Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2408 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1135
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000039
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO USTR PBURKHEAD
LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV PGOV PREL KIPR KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT IPR: CUSTOMS DRAMATICALLY INCREASES
COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZURES IN 2005
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000039
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO USTR PBURKHEAD
LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV PGOV PREL KIPR KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT IPR: CUSTOMS DRAMATICALLY INCREASES
COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZURES IN 2005
1. (SBU) In 2005, Kuwait Customs boasted a 57% increase in
seizures over 2004, with 328 siezures versus 187 the previous
year. The bulk of these seizures were of counterfeit auto
parts, followed by pharmaceuticals and optical media. Among
the seizures were several large shipments of counterfeit auto
parts, including two 40-foot shipping containers. Optical
media seizures fell nearly 80% vs. 2004, but this can be
largely attributed to a few very large busts in 2004 that
inflated that year's numbers, rather than a real drop-off in
enforcement. Customs has imposed tougher penalties for
violators, with fines reaching three times the value of the
goods. In another positive indication, the Council of
Ministers has ordered the formation of a committee to include
representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Commerce,
and Information, as well as the Municipality, to cooperate on
IPR enforcement. Ten persons from each body will form an
active group for field work and execute raids with the the
power of legal seizure.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOK finally became more serious about
IPR in 2005, with improved efforts to decrease violations and
prosecute offenders. The dramatic increase in seizures is
welcome news, and indicates that Kuwait Customs has been the
most aggressive of the GOK entities with IPR
responsibilities. Part of Customs' effectiveness stems from
the ability to levy its own fines without needing to rely on
the Interior or Justice Ministries to prosecute violators.
Large seizures of counterfeit auto parts shows that Customs
has become more skilled at identifying fakes, a credit to
USG- and industry-provided training. It could also indicate
that the GOK, while still lukewarm on what some officials
describe as "victimless" IPR violations, e.g., media piracy,
is more responsive to health and safety problems posed by
fake auto parts and pharmaceuticals. END COMMENT
LeBaron
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO USTR PBURKHEAD
LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV PGOV PREL KIPR KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT IPR: CUSTOMS DRAMATICALLY INCREASES
COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZURES IN 2005
1. (SBU) In 2005, Kuwait Customs boasted a 57% increase in
seizures over 2004, with 328 siezures versus 187 the previous
year. The bulk of these seizures were of counterfeit auto
parts, followed by pharmaceuticals and optical media. Among
the seizures were several large shipments of counterfeit auto
parts, including two 40-foot shipping containers. Optical
media seizures fell nearly 80% vs. 2004, but this can be
largely attributed to a few very large busts in 2004 that
inflated that year's numbers, rather than a real drop-off in
enforcement. Customs has imposed tougher penalties for
violators, with fines reaching three times the value of the
goods. In another positive indication, the Council of
Ministers has ordered the formation of a committee to include
representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Commerce,
and Information, as well as the Municipality, to cooperate on
IPR enforcement. Ten persons from each body will form an
active group for field work and execute raids with the the
power of legal seizure.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOK finally became more serious about
IPR in 2005, with improved efforts to decrease violations and
prosecute offenders. The dramatic increase in seizures is
welcome news, and indicates that Kuwait Customs has been the
most aggressive of the GOK entities with IPR
responsibilities. Part of Customs' effectiveness stems from
the ability to levy its own fines without needing to rely on
the Interior or Justice Ministries to prosecute violators.
Large seizures of counterfeit auto parts shows that Customs
has become more skilled at identifying fakes, a credit to
USG- and industry-provided training. It could also indicate
that the GOK, while still lukewarm on what some officials
describe as "victimless" IPR violations, e.g., media piracy,
is more responsive to health and safety problems posed by
fake auto parts and pharmaceuticals. END COMMENT
LeBaron