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| Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho speaks at the seminar |
Burning problem
Contraband and counterfeit goods are a burning problem worldwide, not only in Vietnam. At the national level, contraband and counterfeit goods slow economic development, cause social instability, damage businesses and severely affect consumers.
The authorities have implemented many plans against contraband goods, trade fraud and counterfeit goods and handled thousands of violations.
Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the 389 National Steering Committee, Nguyen Minh Tuan, said that as an advisory unit for the Government, the Prime Minister the 389 National Steering Committees, from the beginning of 2022, the Standing Office of the 389 National Steering Committee has advised the issuance of guiding documents on smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods for risky goods and routes.
In the first nine months of 2022, authorities of the 389 Steering Committee of ministries, agencies and local authorities nationwide handled 96,975 cases (down 3.79% year-on-year), collected VND7,666 billion to the State budget (up 1.5% year-on-year); prosecuted 380 cases (down 76.47% year-on-year) and arrested 472 subjects (down 78.03 year-on-year).
Deputy Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department – General Department of Customs Nguyen Van On said that the problem of illicit trade, trade fraud and counterfeit goods has expanded from land border gates, waterways and airways, with the increasing scale and serious nature. According to statistics of the Customs, as of October 15, 2022, the Customs presided over and worked with other authorities to seize 13,720 cases with the volume of infringing goods estimated at VND4,790 billion, paid to the State budget VND 265,841 billion and prosecuted 35 cases, transferred to other agencies 113 cases.
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| Ms. Phan Thi Viet Thu, Chairman of the HCM City Consumer Protection Association speaks about the responsibilities of businesses and consumers in fighting contraband and counterfeit goods. |
Raising responsibilities of businesses
As one of the units actively working in handling violations of counterfeit goods, goods infringing intellectual property rights, Ms. Dai Kha Quynh, head of the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) intellectual property department, motorcycles and motorcycle parts are counterfeited and infringe intellectual property rights widespread with increasingly sophisticated tricks and mainly sold through online channels
Motorcycle spare parts and equipment from familiar brands of motorcycle manufacturers in Vietnam such as Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, Suzuki and SYM are sold on many online channels with a lot of prices. However, it is unable to verify the origin of many fake products. The infringement of property rights on the shopping website is often illegal, using protected brands of another organization/individual on the website or updating posts on the website, and product images and fake products on the website.
Recently, the VAMM and Government agencies handled 292 cases of fake products, including more than 2,000 fake oil bottles, 950 brake pads, and 300 air filters. However, according to businesses, the cases handled by the authorities are just the tip of the iceberg.
Ms. Phan Thi Viet Thu said the cooperation against counterfeiting and contraband goods is the whole society’s responsibility, which is not only the responsibility but also the right of businesses. However, many businesses are afraid that their brands will be affected by counterfeit goods, so they refuse to visit the authorities’ office to verify fake goods.
To prevent contraband and counterfeit goods from penetrating the country, Mr. Nguyen Van On said that businesses of which products are counterfeited should strongly reflect the authorities and recommend to consumers, thereby promoting all levels and sectors to jointly prevent and repel this situation.
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Noting the comments of units and businesses, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Tho said that opinions at the seminar are aimed at showing high determination in the fight against contraband and counterfeit goods. Thus, the Government agencies should closely follow the direction of the 389 National Steering Committee and regulations on “bilateral” and “multilateral” coordination among ministries and agencies to implement. Furthermore, consumers and businesses should proactively fight against contraband and counterfeit goods, share timely information with authorities, strengthen coordination with authorities to organize training courses on recognizing counterfeit goods.