Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

More Resources to Stop Piracy and Counterfeiting

Media Release

8 May 2007

 

The creative and intellectual efforts of Australian companies and individuals will be better protected from theft with extra resources being provided by the Government to tackle counterfeiters and pirates.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said that intellectual property (IP) crime hurts creators, business, workers and consumers, so the Australian Government will provide funding of $12.4 million over two years to tackle the problem.

“Companies and small businesses investing in innovation should not see their returns in someone else’s pocket nor have their businesses damaged,” Mr Ruddock said.

“Our country produces world class IP in fields as diverse as fashion, car parts, entertainment and the IT sector and we will help discourage theft of this work.

“If we want Australians to create IP and innovate, we need to help industry and creators by targeting IP crime.  As a result of this Budget initiative, law enforcement will be better resourced to pursue organised crime, major importers and wholesalers, profiting from piracy and counterfeiting.

“Counterfeit goods such as cosmetics or spare parts can be unsafe for consumers.

“Copyright reforms last year made the laws tougher for pirates and fairer for consumers.  This funding will help enforce the new laws against pirates, while consumers to use new technologies to enjoy legitimate products,” Mr Ruddock said.

Additional funding of $8.3 million over 2 years will strengthen the capability of the Australian Federal Police to pursue serious and complex IP crime, particularly where organised or transnational criminal elements are involved.  The AFP will work closely with industry and other agencies, including overseas agencies. 

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions will receive an additional $4.1 million over two years for new prosecutors and training to enable the prosecution of IP crime and finance the pursuit of proceeds of crime.

Media Contact: Steve Ingram (02) 6277 7300