On December 5-6, 2024, S&O IP participated in the XII International Forum “Anti-counterfeiting,” held in Astana, Kazakhstan. This significant event, organized by the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, the Eurasian Economic Commission, and the International Anti-Counterfeiting Association, brought together over 500 participants, including government officials, the legal community, the business sector, academics, and media representatives.

S&O IP contributed to the panel discussions and delivered presentations on “S&O IP's Approach to Combating Counterfeiting Across Eurasian Countries” and “How Protecting Geographical Indications Boosts Regional Economic Growth in Kazakhstan.” Forum discussions covered a wide range of issues, including topics such as legal frameworks, customs procedures, technical regulations, consumer protection, product labeling, traceability systems, e-commerce growth, and IT solutions for intellectual property management.

The Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan highlighted the increasing scale of counterfeiting, reporting that counterfeit product detections globally rose by 77% in 2023 compared to 2022. In Kazakhstan, the release of goods under 768 declarations for suspected IP infringement, valued at EUR 35.2 million, was suspended. Over 35,000 counterfeit items worth 62 million tenge (approx. EUR 116 million) were removed from illegal circulation in 2023, and by 2024, the volume of seized counterfeit goods had increased tenfold.

Participants agreed that addressing the counterfeit goods issue requires collective efforts, with collaboration among governments, businesses, and stakeholders being crucial for effective solutions.

S&O IP remains committed to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative measures to protect intellectual property across the Eurasian region.

If you have any inquiries regarding intellectual property matters in Eurasia, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].