The increased trade in merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights (IPR), such as counterfeit and pirated goods, is a serious concern throughout the world. Such merchandise not only significantly causes damages to right holders and harms their reputation, but also endangers the safety and health of consumers. While different countries have adopted different approaches to dealing with the challenges of infringement, it is widely recognized that the IPR border enforcement measures are among the most effective means of combating these challenges. Through its coordination of various stake holder interests and in cooperation with international organizations, particularly with World Customs Organization (WCO), the Customs Intellectual Property Information Center (CIPIC) plays a pivotal role in supporting IPR border enforcement activities.
Establishment of CIPIC and its Objectives
CIPIC was established in November 1989, as a Special Unit of the Japan Tariff Association, under the authority of the Ministry of Finance. CIPIC's objective is to pursue effective and appropriate border measures through, inter alia, studies on border enforcement measures; collection, analysis and dissemination of IPR-related information; arranging educational programs for Customs officers; and providing support services to right holders.
Management of CIPIC
Financial support for CIPIC's activities comes from CIPIC's permanent endowment and membership fees. CIPIC's basic activity plan is submitted for approval annually to the CIPIC Management Committee consisting primarily of CIPIC Members, and then to the Board of Directors and Board of Councillors of Japan Tariff Association for definitive approval.
Main Activities of CIPIC
Advising and Consulting with Right Holders
With the increasing inflow of infringing merchandise into our country along with the increasing diversity of such merchandise, the number of "Applications for Import or Export Suspension" accepted by the Customs has been steadily increasing in recent years. CIPIC provides technical advice to rights holders, and consults with rights holders, regarding the filing with Japan Customs of such "Applications".
Upon detaining apparently infringing merchandise, Japan Customs notifies the IPR holder of such detention and of the IPR holder's right to conduct an on-site inspection of the detained merchandise. However, for various reasons, IPR holders are often not able to conduct such inspections themselves. In order to address requests for assistance from CIPIC Members with such detentions, CIPIC carries out physical on-site inspections of allegedly infringing merchandise on behalf of CIPIC Members.
Dissemination of IPR Information through Publications
CIPIC issues the bimonthly "CIPIC Journal" which contains updated information on IPR issues, particularly related to IPR border enforcement measures, activities of the enforcement agencies, amendments to relevant laws and regulations, activities of international organizations and important court decisions. CIPIC has also issued a publication entitled, "The Border Enforcement Measures for the Protection of IPR in Japan." This publication addresses all aspects of Japan's IPR border enforcement regime. It contains detailed information on applicable laws, regulations and administrative guidelines, along with information on international agreements. Updated IPR information is also released, in a timely way on the CIPIC website (http://www.kanzei.or.jp/cipic/).
CIPIC organizes, on an ad hoc basis, Study Groups on IPR to work on certain specific border enforcement topics. Experts with academic backgrounds and experience, or CIPIC Members are invited to participate in these Study Groups, as appropriate, and the outcome of such study or research is made available through publications, including “CIPIC Journal”.
Hosting IPR Seminars and Supporting Educational Programs
Based on input from CIPIC Members, CIPIC hosts IPR seminars at which leading IPR experts of Japan as well as from abroad are invited to lecture. In addition, in response to the requests from small and medium enterprises, etc., CIPIC gives lectures on the border enforcement regime and its operation in collaboration with local public entities with a view to raising their awareness of IPR border enforcement.
Arranging Consultations between Japan Customs and CIPIC Membership
On behalf of CIPIC Members, CIPIC arranges periodic or ad hoc consultations with Japan Customs. These consultations help to ensure that Japan Customs is aware and takes due account of CIPIC Members' priority concerns and requests.
Supporting IPR Training Programs for the Customs Officers of Japan and of Developing Countries
As a part of its training programs for Customs officers, CIPIC arranges for meetings between IPR holder representatives and Customs officers. During these meetings, IPR holder representatives are able to train Customs officers in the skills and techniques needed to distinguish genuine merchandise from counterfeit or otherwise infringing merchandise.
CIPIC further arranges for lecturers for IPR Training Courses organized for the Customs officers from various developing countries. The lecturers are selected, in principle, from CIPIC Member companies. Their lectures provide training mainly on the skills and techniques for distinguishing infringing merchandise from genuine merchandise.
Participating in the activities taking place in international fora, etc.
The injuries caused by counterfeiting and piracy occur not only in Japan but also abroad. In order to reinforce the border enforcement measures, CIPIC has entered into MOU with the World Customs Organization (WCO), primarily for the promotion and improvement of the Interface Public-Members (IPM), the WCO’s online tool serving as an interface between frontline Customs officers and the private sector.
CIPIC also participates in the Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting & Piracy, IPR meetings of the WCO, etc., together with the representatives of CIPIC Members and other experts, makes proposals to contribute to anti-counterfeiting activities and disseminates to the CIPIC Members updated information on the deliberations at international fora.
Participation in the Networking Circles for Finding Solutions to IPR-related Challenges and in campaigns for raising public awareness
In May 2007, CIPIC participated in the Trouble-Shooting Network on Counterfeiting and Piracy. This network was established in December 2004 in response to the request of the Japanese Government. CIPIC responds promptly and adequately to any matters brought to CIPIC for advice in cooperation with other participants in the Network, which also includes the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, and the Japan External Trade Organization, among other entities.
Furthermore, CIPIC organizes, in cooperation with the Customs, various campaigns to combat counterfeiting and piracy with a view to raising public awareness of these issues.
Customs Act and Order for Enforcement of the Customs Act concerning Intellectual Property Right
(NOTICE TO USERS)
The English translation of the “Customs Act” and the “Order for Enforcement of the Customs Act” available on this website is unofficial translation. Only the original Japanese texts have legal effect, and the translation is to be used solely as a reference to aid in the understanding of the Customs Act and the Order for Enforcement of the Customs Act.
The English translation provided on this website shows the excerpt from the Customs Act and the Order for Enforcement of the Customs Act related to the Intellectual Property Right.
・Excerpt from "the Customs Act " of Japan
・Excerpt from "Order for Enforcement of the Customs Act "