How can right holders protect themselves from counterfeiting and piracy?

Customs administrations play an essential role in protecting the EU market. However, customs cannot achieve significant results in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy without the help of the right holders themselves. This co-operation is the most effective weapon and as such must be strengthened. The industries can fend off repeated attacks by counterfeiters through lodging applications for action with the competent customs department.

Manual for applications for customs action (pdf 654 Kb)(654 Kb) 

The manual explains the IPR application procedure and provides guidance on questions that might arise. The manual consist of 2 main parts; one for national applications and one for Community applications. It further contains recommended forms for providing information to the customs authorities.

It is recommended to submit the different forms as much as possible in electronic form to the customs authorities. 

Application for action and the declaration according to article 6 

to fill in on screen and print (PDF format)

• A model form of the national application for action (pdf 107 Kb)(107 Kb) 
• Declaration according to Article 6 for national applications (pdf 27 Kb)(27 Kb) 
• A model form of the community application for action (pdf 381 Kb)(381 Kb) 
• Declaration according to Article 6 for community applications (pdf 26 Kb)(26 Kb)  

Where to submit the application for action:

They must be sent to the competent customs department (pdf 132 Kb)(132 Kb) .

Recommended forms for providing information for national applications

(to fill in on screen and print (PDF format))

• Information on status of applicant (pdf 153 Kb)(153 Kb) 
• Information on type of rights (pdf 1.07 Mb)(1.07 Mb) 
• Information on authentic goods (pdf 159 Kb)(159 Kb) 
• Information on type or pattern of fraud (pdf 115 Kb)(115 Kb) 
• Other information (pdf 48 Kb)(48 Kb) 
• Extending period of validity (pdf 89 Kb)(89 Kb)  

Recommended forms for providing information for Community applications

(to fill in on screen and print (PDF format))

• Information on status of applicant (pdf 152 Kb)(152 Kb) 
• Information on type of rights (pdf 494 Kb)(494 Kb) 
• Information on authentic goods (pdf 156 Kb)(156 Kb) 
• Information on type or pattern of fraud (pdf 112 Kb)(112 Kb) 
• Other information (pdf 46 Kb)(46 Kb) 
• Extending period of validity (pdf 116 Kb)(116 Kb)  

Submission of important and urgent information

Two forms have been elaborated in close collaboration with industry. The aim is to provide a mechanism to notify the relevant customs administrations swiftly, in a clear structured way about specific information or general trends concerning suspected counterfeit goods.

These forms should be sent to the relevant contact point (pdf 89 Kb)(89 Kb) :

• "RED ALERT (pdf 20 Kb)(20 Kb)xls (xls 26 Kb)(26 Kb)" form, to be used to notify customs about urgent, specific information
• "NEW TRENDS (pdf 23 Kb)(23 Kb)xls (xls 28 Kb)(28 Kb)" form to be used to notify customs about new trends