The Department of Economic Development (DED) seized 67.7 million counterfeit products across industries in 2016.
Albawaba Business reported that the confiscation of counterfeit goods was “a move to protect trademarks”, and that the goods were worth AED 1.16 billion ($315.8/€295 million), which was seven percent higher than in 2015. The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP), a sector of DED, intensified their efforts in order to “protect intellectual property and eliminate commercial fraud” to maintain Dubai’s reputation as a “global business hub and destination for world leading brands”.
The article said that mobile phones were at the top of the list, and totalled 43 percent of the goods seized worth AED 429 million ($116/€109 million), while accessories came second worth AED 130 million ($35/€33 million), with cosmetics, construction and smoking materials making up the remainder.
Mohammed Rashed Ali Lootah, CEO of CCCP, said that “DED has achieved a qualitative leap in its ensuring commercial compliance during 2016”, and that this was reflected in the number of counterfeit goods seized. He noted that “it shows the level of focus and alertness that the [DED] maintains in upholding the rights of trademark owners by confiscating and destroying counterfeits on one hand and on the other, in safeguarding the physical and financial health of consumers”.