First Counterfeit Goods Seized, Destroyed in Kosovo

The first seizure and destruction of counterfeit goods under the provisions for the enforcement of intellectual property rights contained in the Law on Customs Measures, in force as of January 2010, has recently taken place in Kosovo, a jurisdiction where counterfeit goods are rampant.

On February 3, 2011, the Kosovo customs officials organized a destruction of apparel and wristwatches found to infringe the intellectual property rights of Timberland, Gucci and Abercrombie & Fitch. The seizure of these goods took place on November 29, 2010 at the border point with Albania, called Vermnice.

The local importers of counterfeit goods, as well as the representatives of companies authorized by the trademark holders, were present at the destruction.

The destroyed goods included 127 pants, 44 shirts and 79 sweatshirts found to infringe the IP rights of Timberland; 43 wristwatches and 38 jackets found to infringe the IP rights of Gucci; and 27 shirts and 334 sweatshirts found to infringe the IP rights of Abercrombie & Fitch.

Furthermore, in March 2011, the following seizures were reported on behalf of Nike: 3036 pairs of socks, 4080 pairs of shoes and a small quantity of apparel.

The fake Nike goods were detained at different border points in Kosovo, most of them at the Adem Jashari airport in Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo. The counterfeit goods were intended for the Kosovo market.

The customs representatives encourage all companies importing genuine products to file a customs surveillance application with the Kosovo Customs to prevent import of counterfeit goods.

For more information, please contact Kujtesa Nezaj-Shehu.

Source: SDP KOSOVE