Violation of intellectual property rights reduced

NONTHABURI, May 13 (TNA) -- Violation of intellectual property rights has sharply reduced in Thailand after persons who tip off authorities to take actions against violators receive one-fourth of fines imposed on arrested counterfeiters, said Thosapone Dansuputra, director-general of Intellectual Property Department. Mr Thosapone said shops selling counterfeit goods in Rong Kluea Market at Aranyaprathet district bordering Cambodia and at Bangkok’s MBK shopping mall have disappeared more than 85 per cent after his department have cooperated with concerned government agencies including police and the Department of Special Investigation in suppression. Less than five shops selling fake goods at Pantip Plaza, a famous shopping mall in central Bangkok, are still operating and they should be “suppressed soon”, he said. Informants of fake goods producers and sellers will receive one-fourth of fines imposed on them, said Mr Thosapone, adding that more than 100,000 baht has been paid while the remaining of about one million baht will be given to informants soon. It is hoped that the malpractice will disappear in the near future, he added. (TNA)