Brief: WCO, INTA join forces on counterfeit fight

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Trademark Association (INTA) have agreed to collaborate in the fight against counterfeiting.

A memorandum of understanding - signed this week at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium  - will strengthen "coordination through education and training projects, and through the exchange of information and best practices between Customs and the private sector", with a particular emphasis on public awareness raising, said the organisations in a joint press release.

WCO and INTA suggest the trade of counterfeit goods exceeds $650bn (€477bn) annually. "Customs technical assistance and capacity building remains one of the most effective mechanisms in the battle against counterfeiting," they add.