Europol in online counterfeit crackdown

EU law enforcement agency fronts sting against 999 sites allegedly illegally punting technology and other goods

Law enforcement agencies from the UK and 17 other countries across Europe have linked arms in a sting targeting hundreds of e-tailers offering counterfeit or pirated goods.

A press release issued this week by the EU's law-enforcement agency Europol reveals that a total of 999 websites have been seized for illegally selling counterfeit goods or otherwise breaching intellectual property laws. Unlawful goods or services being offered covered a range of industries, including electronics, as well as clothing, pharmaceutical, and toiletries.

The crackdown was the latest salvo in the In Our Sites initiative, a global scheme launched by the US government's US Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre. Taking part in this operation were law-enforcement bodies from a wide range of European nations, including: Belgium, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Denmark, France, the UK, Spain, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Italy. Also lending a hand were investigators in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Panama, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Thailand

Characterised as "a huge action", the raids were organised and led by Europol, alongside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations bodies from the US. The European agency also worked closely with rights holders in the commercial sector, something it claims plays a central role in combating counterfeit and intellectual property crimes.

"Cooperation with private industry remains crucial and is key to monitoring and reporting IP-infringing websites to the concerned countries via Europol, to ultimately make the internet a safer place for consumers," said the press release.