Sharjah's CCPD Seizes Over 40,000 Counterfeit Goods in H1 2009

SHARJAH - The Commercial Control and Protection Department of Sharjah has confiscated and destroyed approximately 40,000 counterfeit goods during first half of the present year, strengthening the United Arab Emirates continuing efforts to fight curb trade in counterfeit products and ensuring Intellectual Property protection, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

In UAE, any convicted case of fraud is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to three years detention, or a fine of up to Dh20,000.

"Sharjah has been playing a vital role in fighting commercial fraud,” Khalid Saif, director of the Commercial Control and Protection Department at the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) said.

“The department seeks to find a mechanism to control the serial cases of commercial fraud and counterfeit goods and to fight trademark forgery, commercial fraud, infringement of Intellectual Property Rights, and piracy. We have launched over 30 inspection campaigns in the first half of 2009 alone," he added.

"As a result of these campaigns, our inspectors have seized, confiscated and destroyed approximately 40,000 counterfeit goods, including compact discs, films, computers, plastic products, mobile phones and accessories, perfumes, car batteries and items of men's clothing," Saif continued.

Although some may view fraud as a victimless crime', its effects are more serious and far-reaching than many people realize; it affects everyone, and it can be particularly detrimental to the local and global economies in a time of economic downturn.

The UAE Government recognizes the potential impact of commercial fraud in all its forms, and has ensured that all relevant departments and authorities in the country are working together to combat commercial fraud and protect the interests of manufacturers and traders, alike.

According to estimates the global economy is suffering from trade in counterfeit products to the tune of an estimated $780 billion per year, around 10 percent of the total world trade exchange, and the problem is affecting nearly all product sectors.