Launch of European Commission Public Consultation on the Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List
December 2021
The European Commission has launched a public consultation aimed at identifying online service providers and physical marketplaces located outside the EU suspected of engaging in, facilitating or benefitting from substantial IPR infringements, with priority given to piracy and counterfeiting.
Stakeholders are being asked to submit written contributions to the Commission identifying marketplaces and service providers that may fulfil the criteria, for inclusion in the Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List for 2022. Online marketplace operators and service providers are encouraged to report on measures taken to avoid or reduce IPR infringements by third parties on their services and to submit written contributions in which they present actions taken to address IP infringements on their platforms.
The updated “Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List” will be published towards the end of 2022. It aims to identify the most problematic marketplaces and service providers with a view to encouraging operators and owners, local authorities and governments to take the necessary actions to reduce the availability of IPR infringing goods and services.
The consultation is available at: Public Consultation on the Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List (europa.eu)
Written contributions and comments can also be made directly to the European Commission via mailbox TRADE-COUNTERFEIT-AND-PIRACY-WATCH-LIST@ec.europa.eu
The deadline for submissions is 14 February 2022.