European Parliament
Sergej Kozlík  (ALDE ),
in writing.
(SK)
Intellectual property rights (IPR) are fundamental for innovation as a key priority of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It is estimated that piracy and counterfeiting cost European businesses EUR 250 billion each year. Between 2009-2010, the number of cases of counterfeiting and piracy almost doubled. A 200% increase in such goods was recorded in online sales, most of which concerned clothing, electrical goods and pharmaceuticals. The customs authorities are in a good position to enforce intellectual property rights effectively at the EU’s external borders. A revision of the EU regulation is proposed in order to strengthen the implementation of these rights and I support the positive opinion of the EP in relation to the text.

