It was learnt from Hebei Provincial Intellectual Property Office on February 12 that the special actions on cracking down upon intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement and manufacture and distribution of fake and shoddy commodities taken by the province have achieved initial progress: By January 28, 1,653 cases involving 20.13 million yuan have been filed by administrative and law enforcement authorities at all levels, 1,091 cases, of which 12.92 million yuan were involved, have been closed. 38 sites where counterfeits were produced and distributed have been destroyed, with 110,732 pieces of commodities, 2,776 cartons of household and personal care chemicals and 4,958 kilograms of seeds seized.

Targeting at some industries and products, authorities in Hebei took a series of actions around the New Year and Spring Festival. In the city of Cangzhou, relevant departments dispatched 2,289 person-time enforcement officials, issued 72 notifications requiring business owners to rectify their operation and smashed 10 illegal production sites. Qinhuangdao inspected places of business and entertainment for 5,194 times and closed down 5 stores for illegal operation. Administrations in other cities also took varieties of measures and effectively curbed IPR infringement.

During the special actions, authorities for public security in Hebei filed 91 cases (60 of which were closed; 7.87 million yuan was involved), seized 151 suspects and arrested 16 criminals. Procuratorates ratified arresting acts for 19 cases, which involved 27.63 million yuan and 42 suspects, and investigated 11 lawsuits involving 12.86 million yuan.

Source:IPR in China