Attendants to the seminar
It was a great opportunity for the Customs Officials to learn about rights in copyright, the importance of copyright and role in the Vanuatu society and the economy, the protection of copyright works in a collective management setup and copyright in traditional knowledge and expression of culture.
Section 65 of the Customs Act No. 7 of 2013 clearly states that it is unlawful to import into Vanuatu any goods which are counterfeit trademarks goods, pirate copyright goods, goods infringing intellectual property rights or even protection defeating devices.
Clause 22 of the Customs Regulations Order No. 113 of 2014 further states that the importers concerned are responsible to produce evidence to Customs to prove that the goods imported are not counterfeit trademark goods, pirate copyright goods or goods infringing intellectual property rights.
Customs is determine to protect the rights holders, either they be national or international entities, while at the same time protect the rights of our consumers to access quality and safe products. We believe that protecting our communities from such imported goods will encourage economical activities from the development of local talents and goods to replace these prohibited goods. Enforcement of this law should also give confidence to investors who are involved in the trading of genuine goods.
As a consequence, Customs will be issuing a public notice soon to give those who have imported or have placed orders of such goods, a three months grace period to complete these business transactions before Customs will begin to seize all future imported goods which have infringed our intellectual property laws.
