United IPR organized training on enforcement of IPR laws with DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit that aimed at
sensitization of the Custom officers with the relevant legal provisions, judicial precedents and product
identification of various brands, counterfeits of which are being imported into the country. The focus was
on the procedure and practice of IPR enforcement by Indian Customs and on the socio-economic impacts
of counterfeiting.
The training was organized at the Office of DRI, attended by approximately 40 officers and presided over
by Mr. Rajesh Pandey, the Learned Principal Additional Director General, DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit.
The training session was participated by right-holders from various industry spectrum including high-end
apparels and accessories, personal care, sportswear, cosmetics, luxury watches and other FMCG groups.
The attending DRI officials were extremely enthusiastic and shared key suggestions like inviting even
more sectors from the industry, giving a collective list for identification features which are relevant not
only at the territorial borders but also for the e-commerce platforms, creating a provision where the
seizure details are readily available and indicating that similar training sessions should be held
periodically. The attendees further shared constructive feedback on the various guidelines and
mechanisms shared on behalf of the right-holders including devising a mechanism for collection and
disposal of used containers in order to negate their misuse for refilling of counterfeit products.
We are confident that such capacity building endeavors will enable the officers to meet the twin objective
of “who to contact” & “how to identify” and will pave way for a robust IPR enforcement regime in the
country.
