Ukraine Outlines Steps to Strengthen Anticounterfeiting Efforts at INTA Policy Dialogue

INTA hosted a policy dialogue entitled Ukraine Against Counterfeits: Dialogue with the PTO, Customs, and Law Enforcement on October 2, 2024. The event marked the first international discussion on combating counterfeits with the participation of Ukrainian authorities since early 2022. The dialogue represents a key step toward enhancing intellectual property (IP) rights protection in Ukraine and the Eastern European region.

Oleksandr Mamunya (Mamunya IP, Ukraine), the author of this article, moderated the event and facilitated discussions between key representatives from Ukrainian governmental bodies and international private sector participants.

The event began with a discussion on how Ukrainian state bodies are working to safeguard IP rights against counterfeit goods. Oleksandra Kosenko of the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO) introduced the newly formed Intellectual Property Rights Infringement Monitoring Center. The Center is designed to assist rights holders in their fight against counterfeit goods by fostering national and international cooperation, as well as offering educational and research activities. Ms. Kosenko emphasized the importance of the Memoranda of Understanding and Cooperation signed by UANIPIO and other organizations, including the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, and the State Customs Service of Ukraine. Additionally, she announced UANIPIO’s plans to launch the Unified Ukrainian IP Portal, which will enhance transparency and efficiency in IP enforcement.

Iryna Hermaniuk of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine detailed the efforts to prevent and investigate criminal offenses related to IP rights. Between 2023 and 2024, the Bureau initiated 150 pre-trial investigations into IP violations, leading to 63 individuals being charged. She also noted that during the same period, counterfeit goods, spanning industries such as automotive, clothing, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and others, were seized and confiscated, with a total value approaching $10 million.

Discussing the challenges of trademark protection at Ukraine’s borders, Maksym Tarandai from the State Customs Service of Ukraine, provided practical guidance on registering IP rights in the Customs IP Register. He reported a steady increase in customs IP recordals, rising from 830 in 2022 to 980 in 2023, and reaching 1,055 by October 2024. Mr. Tarandai also shared statistics on the growing number of counterfeit goods identified and destroyed in Ukraine, reflecting the Customs Service’s dedication to IP protection.

This event highlighted Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to combat counterfeits despite wartime challenges. The coordinated efforts of state authorities demonstrate that Ukraine is making significant strides in cleaning up its market and enforcing IP rights.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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