As informed by Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released the findings of its Annual Special 301 Report on Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (the Notorious Markets List), on January 14, 2021, which highlights online and physical markets that reportedly engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy.

Observations in the report are specific to addressing concerns of American consumers and it may be noted that India is under no obligation, to take action based on reports being generated by independent sovereigns. However, Central Government has been taking active steps to control the menace of counterfeiting and piracy. Several initiatives to strengthen enforcement agencies through regular training and sensitization programs have been undertaken by the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) with Police, Customs and Judiciary. Apart from creating legal deterrence, a large number of awareness and sensitization programmes are carried out to encourage customers to buy original products and inform them about the consequences of buying fake and counterfeit products.

Consumer Commissions entertain all types of consumer complaints, including complaints from buyers about fake goods, in terms of the various provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. However, no separate data with regard to such Consumer Complaints is maintained.

Every consumer case is decided / disposed of by the Consumer Commissions on the basis of facts & circumstances of each case and in terms of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019. The Consumer Commissions are empowered to give relief of a specific nature and award, wherever appropriate, compensation to consumers.

This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in Lok Sabha today.

*****  

DJ/MS

(Release ID: 1696534) Visitor Counter : 627