Customs IPR Enforcement Services
Customs IPR Enforcement enables intellectual property owners to prevent the import of counterfeit and infringing goods into India by registering their IP rights with Indian Customs authorities.
Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
On May 8, 2007, the Central Government issued Notification No. 49/2007-Customs (N.T.), enforcing the Intellectual Property Rights (Imported Goods) Enforcement Rules, 2007. These rules aim to protect IP rights at Indian borders in alignment with TRIPS and World Customs Organization (WCO) standards.
Infringing goods include products made, reproduced, circulated, or used in violation of intellectual property laws such as the Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act, Patents Act, Designs Act, and the Geographical Indications Act.
Procedure for Customs IPR Registration & Enforcement
- Registration with Customs and grant of permanent registration number
- Suspension of clearance of suspected infringing goods
- Examination of goods and submission of authenticity report
- Execution of surety bond and security deposit by right holder
- Adjudication by Customs Authority
Customs Enforcement Actions
- Issuance of Show Cause Notices
- Personal hearings before Customs authorities
- Confiscation or destruction of infringing goods
- Penalties imposed on importers
Why Register IP with Customs?
Customs registration provides proactive border protection against counterfeit goods, strengthens brand enforcement, and enables swift legal action against infringers before products enter the Indian market.