Singapore signs anti-counterfeiting trade agreement

Singapore reaffirmed its commitment to fight counterfeit trade today at the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) signing ceremony in Japan today.

Seven other countries have signed the agreement aimed curbing trade in couterfeit goods and pirated copyright works: Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, New  Zealand, and the United States.

A key feature of the agreement gives Customs officials the right to seize counterfeit goods without a request from the rights holder or a court order.

On a broad scale it provides for enhanced international cooperation, promotion of sound enforcement practices and  a legal framework for enforcement of intellectual property rights covering areas such as distribution of pirated copyright work on the Internet.

The European Union, Mexico and Switzerland will sign the agreement later.

Formal negotiations of the agreement started in June 2008.

tonyng@sph.com.sg