Boo Radley Posted January 20, 2002 Report Share Posted January 20, 2002 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY United front formed to fight pirates Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit Copyright owners across the country are forming a united front to establish the Thai Intellectual Property Alliance (Tipa) to fight counterfeiters. The industry group would provide resources for suppressing illicit activities, especially helping authorities trace sources and evidence of illegal manufacturing plants. Piset Chiyasak, general manager of the Thai Recording Industry Association (Tria), said details of the group's structure and contributions from members would be finalised soon. ``Being under the same group will help us promote harmony in creating a crackdown programme nationwide and also lift the image of the country's industries,'' he said. Tipa's members will include Tria, which groups 14 local and international music labels; the Thai Magnetic Tape and Record Association; Motion Picture Associates, a group of Hollywood film importers; the Business Software Alliance, representing computer software firms; and distributors of local and imported branded accessories. The move is in line with increased government efforts to eradicate the country's image as a haven for copied products, which has been a sore spot in trade relations. Deputy Commerce Minister Suvarn Valaisathien plans to discuss the issue on Monday with William Lash, the US assistant secretary for commerce. Thai officials hope that progress in protecting intellectual property will help persuade Washington to extend more tariff breaks to Thai goods. Dr Suvarn said that this year the ministry would increase its enforcement budget to 12 million baht from five million last year, with more aggressive plans to curb illegal production plants and street hawkers. Last year there were 4,000 cases of pirated goods with a street value of 500 million baht. Two illegal CD plants and 10 garment factories were raided. ``This year our crackdown will be faster and more confidential in order to successfully track illegal CD plants' hideouts,'' the minister said. ``Last year, only two out of 30 plants suspected of producing pirated products were found guilty,'' he added. http://www.bangkokpost.net/Business/19Jan2002_biz51.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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