Following the 6th annual Congress on Combating Counterfeiting
and Piracy, held in France in February 2011, it has become
increasingly obvious that counterfeiting has become a worldwide
pandemic. The statistics released during the congress confirmed
that counterfeiting and piracy is no longer limited to articles of
clothing, electronics and accessories but has increasingly shifted
into the field of pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs, which pose a
greater risk as it relates to the safety and well being of the
unsuspecting public.
It is of paramount importance that every effort is made to
manage and stop the trade in counterfeit goods, in particular, in
the country of origin of those goods. The cooperation of law
enforcement authorities in the various countries including the
country of manufacture of the counterfeit goods; any transit
countries and the country of final destination is vital. The role
of the brand owners must not be underestimated. Essentially, it is
a
