EC withdraws proposals to harmonise criminal sanctions for counterfeiting

The European Commission have withdrawn proposals to harmonise criminal sanctions for for intellectual property infringement, according to Rouse & Co. International. New proposals will be put forward in 2006.

"Following a recent decision of the ECJ clarifying the basis on which Community legislature may provide criminal sanctions, the European Commission (EC) has decided to withdraw its previously published proposals for the harmonisation of criminal sanctions relating to counterfeiting and piracy. A new proposal will be introduced in 2006."