What about counterfeiting?
Speech Charlie McCreevy, Empowering consumers by promoting access to the 21st Century Market. eBay's Call for Action on access to on-line markets European Parliament (24 juni)
"What then about counterfeiting? I suppose it was to be expected that the burgeoning online market place was always going to attract fraudsters. Criminals who lure naïve consumers into buying counterfeit and pirated goods. Crooks who take advantage of the internet to cross normal borders through online channels, and who know they can get away with it. Well it's time that they stopped getting away with it. We've got to hit them where it hurts with fines, with penalties, and using all the legal tools at our disposal. This is clearly in the interests of all concerned - whether they are consumers, legitimate businesses or brand owners.
Indeed now, perhaps more than at any other time over the last couple of years, we all need to work to build confidence in our single market. Because a single market where criminals go unchecked will not promote people's confidence in the European Union.
At the recent hearing on counterfeiting and piracy that the Commission held jointly with the European Parliament, I suggested we should find a way forward in combating the use of the internet to increase counterfeiting and piracy. I would like to see industry take the lead in a drive to combat this phenomena.
Industry has the inherent knowledge to identify fake products and to unearth production and distribution networks. The brand owners and platforms should unite in the fight by developing ways and means, on the basis of voluntary agreements, for example.
I would like to see a stake holder forum which could develop a potential inter-industry agreement to lay down minimum common best practices and establish collaboration mechanisms between relevant stakeholders. The Commission stands ready to play a facilitator role in this work and will be inviting expressions of interest from all stakeholders.
I firmly believe that brand owners, online platforms and consumers have a common interest in jointly finding a common solution to the problems caused by the sale of counterfeit goods over the internet. We cannot underestimate the role that such voluntary agreements could play in the fight against counterfeiting and the promotion of online services. Let's face it. Unless solutions are found, then the pressure for legislation at EU level is inevitably going to build up. There is a window of opportunity to show that the industry is willing and capable of stepping up to the mark and finding solutions."
Lees hier de gehele speech.
