Counterfeit products displayed in a shop.
DOHA: In a bid to monitor compliance with intellectual property rights laws, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has carried out surprise inspection campaigns targetting food shops in Muaither area to monitor the compliance of retail outlets with intellectual property rights laws and regulations.
These ongoing inspection campaigns come within the framework of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities as part of an integrated plan covering all retail outlets across the country.
The campaigns are aimed at cracking down on counterfeit products and commodities in order to protect intellectual property rights and curb the proliferation of counterfeit goods.
The inspection campaign resulted in a fine for one shop for importing and distributing counterfeit canned fruits of various kinds bearing the mark of an original National Product brand contrary to the provisions of Law No. 9 of 2002 regarding trademarks, commercial records, geographic indicators, designs and industrial models.
The Ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the intellectual property rights laws and will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities.
