DUBAI: The threat of smuggled counterfeit products is on the downturn here in Dubai thanks to Dubai Customs highly dedicated inspection cadre and advanced technologies.
During the first half of 2016, a total of 95 seizures of fake products were carried out by Customs inspectors.
The reported Dh38.4 million worth of seized goods included fake watches, sunglasses, electronics, auto spare parts, textile, bags and footwear.
“Dubai Customs is committed to protecting consumers from the health and environmental risks of counterfeits and stands firmly against all attempts to violate intellectual property rights. We deploy advanced technologies in inspection, and offer constant support to our staff’s brainchildren which make inspection procedures more streamlined and faster,” said Saeed Al Tayer, Executive Director of Policies and Legislation Division at Dubai Customs.
“Dubai Customs works closely with other government agencies as well as the private sector to crack down on counterfeiting, thus, ensure investors can optimise their returns from selecting Dubai as home for their operations,” added Al Tayer.
Yousuf Ozair Mubarak, Director of IPR Department at Dubai Customs, noted that “ Dubai Customs is keen on promoting awareness of intellectual property rights among new generations, through the DC’s Annual Award for intellectual property rights at universities and schools, which includes six categories: The best awareness campaign, the best website, the best innovation or invention to protect intellectual property rights, participation in the Award through writing a book or a story about these rights, participation through a short play highlighting the risks of counterfeit goods, and preparing a short film on intellectual property rights.
“We have also established a strategic partnership with the 2016 International Children’s Film Festival. Dubai Customs is the first government strategic partner of the famous International Children’s Film Festival thus far, Dubai Customs through its Intellectual Property Rights Department, in cooperation with the Festival organizing committee, has launched an Award for the best awareness movie on intellectual property rights filmed and produced by children.”
Moreover, the IPR Department in Dubai Customs is organising awareness workshops for cruise travellers to educate them on intellectual property rights and the risks of using counterfeits.
The IPR Director at Dubai Customs detailed that awareness workshops during the current cruise season – From November 2015 till May 2016 – amounted to 22 workshops.
