The European Commission has launched a public consultation to create a watch-list of physical and online marketplaces based outside the European Union that engage in counterfeiting, piracy and other substantial IP right infringements.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to establish its first global “Counterfeit and Piracy Watch-List”. Based on the input of stakeholders, the list is aimed to raise consumer awareness  and encourage marketplace operators to act against intellectual property infringement.

Infringements of intellectual property rights – particularly counterfeiting and piracy on a commercial scale -are causing substantial losses to right holders and businesses and jeopardising jobs. Moreover, counterfeiting and piracy undermine the European Union’s ability to compete in innovation and creativity, while posing significant risks for consumer health, safety and the environment.

According to data presented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), trade in counterfeit and pirated products is worth about 338 billion euro globally. The European Union, where counterfeit and pirated products make up about 5% of imports, is hit particularly hard by the phenomenon.

The Counterfeit and Piracy Watch-List will include both physical and online marketplaces based outside the European Union that engage in counterfeiting, piracy and any other substantial infringement of intellectual property rights.

The list will be drawn up on the basis of input from the stakeholders and thorough verification of information.

It will identify and describe the most problematic marketplaces with the aim of encouraging their operators and owners, as well as local authorities and governments, to act to reduce the availability of infringing goods or services. The Commission will monitor measures and actions taken by the local authorities or by marketplace operators and owners to curb IPR infringements.

Written contributions and comments can be submitted until 16 April 2018 using this form.