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EU Commission releases 2008 statistics on IPR-related Border Measures

The European Commission has published today the 2008 statistics on border seizures under Regulation 1383/2003. AIM (European Brands Association) has compiled a first overview of the new trends and has been so kind to share it with our readers.

Breakdown by number of articles seized

Remarkably, the number of articles seized by the Customs Authorities in the 27 Member States in 2008 has more than doubled to 178,908,278 (from 79,076,458 in 2007).

The most significant increases concern:

 DVDs/CDs/cassettes: +2600%
 Medicines: + 118%
 Cigarettes: + 54%

CD/DVD was the top category of articles detained at 79 million (44% of the entire amount), followed by cigarettes (23%) and clothing, shoes & accessories (10%).

The seizures of products potentially dangerous to the health and safety of European consumers represented 20 million (11%) - food and beverages, personal care articles, medicines & toys.

Medicines now represent the third largest specific product category in terms of quantities of intercepted articles.

Breakdown by number of cases

The increase in cases registered represents 13% (49,381 procedures, up from 43,671 in 2007). Most cases related to clothing, shoes & accessories.

Most significant increases:

 Toys: +136%
 Electrical equipment: +58%
 Medicines: +57 %
 Personal care products: +42%
 Sports wear: +34%

Applications for action

12,866 applications for action filed (from 10,260 in 2007). 80% of the customs interventions were based on applications, 20% ex officio.

Countries of origin

China was the main origin and provenance country (54.57%/55.90% of the total amount).

For food and beverages, Indonesia was the main country of origin. For medicines, it was India, whilst the United Arab Emirates were mentioned as country of origin for cigarettes.

Full report and "what’s new" here and here:

Press release here.

FAQs here.