Kingdom wants in on IP

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the idea would be put to them at the Asean Summit in Hua Hin late next month.

"The fair is aimed at telling the world that the region is serious about cracking down on IP violations as well as increasing awareness in Asean itself of ways to increase the economic growth of the region," said Alongkorn.

The event will also improve members' ability to protect, manage and exploit IP

and support the development of best practices and policies in relation to IP issues

and rights. It will be a stage for IP theorists, owner of rights, business leaders and

policy-makers to exchange views on how to increase IP protection in the region.

Activities will include an Asean IP conference and a showcase for innovative

products and services.

Alongkorn said he would consult the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta and also

Singapore as host country for the Global Forum on Intellectual Property.

Thailand and its neighbours will introduce strict inspections to crack down on

cross-border counterfeit and illegal goods plants.

The Commerce Ministry has written to the Foreign Ministry, the Interior

Ministry and the Justice Ministry to tighten collaboration.

Alongkorn said the government would pursue large manufacturers until it had

destroyed illegal products at source.

"The government will set up a special taskforce to probe large illegal manufac

turers and their influential supporters. If any government officials are found to have

conflicts of interest, the government will take disciplinary action and remove them

from the area in 24 hours," he said.

The ministry has received reports that border provinces and nearby areas are

hotbeds of trade in counterfeit goods, mostly CDs, VCDs and DVD.

It has scheduled discussions with the Education Ministry and the Science and Technology Ministry on IP knowledge and awareness in primary schools.