Piracy market growing at a rapid rate: Expert

Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) Crimes pertaining to intellectual property rights have reached alarming proportions in the Indian sub-continent and consumers need to be vigilant, an expert has cautioned.

It is not just films, music or books that are pirated, but spurious products are found in all segments from auto parts of Mercedez Benz to software, cosmetics, electrical fittings, medicines to Canon cameras and batteries, says Enforcers of Intellectual Property Rights (EIPR) CMD Zaheer Khan.

An estimated five to seven per cent of any segment can conservatively be accounted for as pirated, he says.

''In India, majority of pirated or counterfeit material is produced in the northern region,'' he says.

Mr Khan is participating in a three-day conference organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the American Embassy on the best practices for IPR enforcement and combating counterfeit products.

The EIPR has been engaged in combating counterfeit products and has aided the Mumbai police in confiscating counterfeit goods from different parts of the city. Two shops were found selling fake Canon batteries and fake Canon cameras, he said.

''India has the best laws but their implementation has not been efficient. We are more aware today and preparing ourselves to combat piracy but the piracy market is growing at a faster pace,'' he said.

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