Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-05-04-Speech-4-067"
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"en.20000504.5.4-067"2
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"Computers, audio and video equipment, toys, fragrances, pharmaceutical products, clocks and watches, cars – absolutely everything is copied.
The harm suffered by the luxury goods industry is just the visible tip of the iceberg, probably also the least dangerous part. Damage to the economy is much more significant. A UNESCO Conference organised in Paris in June 1992 estimated the illegal gains due to counterfeiting at some BEF 3 000 billion per year. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, the cost of counterfeiting represents between 5 and 7% of world trade. Sales of illegal compact discs were reported to have increased by almost 20% in 1996 and comprise 14% of the world market. In the software sector, piracy rates are estimated at 46% worldwide. The number of jobs lost in the European Union is put at 100 000 over the past ten years.
These figures are probably still greatly underestimated, and Internet imperialism will make them higher still.
Current investigations show that piracy and counterfeiting are closely linked to other forms of organised crime, such as trafficking in drugs and armaments and money laundering. This gives us an indication of the major stakes involved for the internal security of our Member States.
As the rapporteur quite rightly mentioned, I think that a balanced policy on the subject must combine prevention and law enforcement.
Prevention involves increasing public awareness, not just of the damage done to our firms, but also of the risks involved in purchasing poor quality products which may, in some instances, be dangerous to human health and safety. I am thinking, for example, of pharmaceutical products and spare parts for cars.
I do not share the opinion expressed in Amendment No 8, since I think that confiscating illegally copied goods, even if it is only a simple compact disc, may well serve as an example and be of instructional value, particularly with regard to young people, who must learn that copying is damaging to the artist whose works they like.
As far as the law enforcement aspect is concerned, we must involve our Member States in a more proactive policy of fast and effective legal prosecution of offenders. I think it would also be useful if the forces of law and order were to receive suitable training to be able to detect counterfeit goods more easily. Increasing penalties might also have a deterrent effect.
Counterfeiting and piracy constitute a threat to the proper operation of the internal market. They jeopardise the viability of some of our businesses, especially small- and medium-sized businesses that undertake research. They introduce distortions of competition. They undermine the foundations of a sound economy. Moreover, and most especially, they mislead the consumer, sometimes at the risk of his or her health or safety. This consumer must be protected, so much is clear. It is in this spirit that I support Mrs Fourtou’s report."@en1
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