Counterfeiting of original products is known since ancient times, but in the past 50 years it has gained alarming proportions worldwide. According to a current study, published in "Financial Week" (www.sfin.ro), the most substantial increase occurred in the past 10 years, the value of counterfeit goods ranged to over 500 billion dollars a year, the trade with counterfeit goods representing about 10-12% of world trade.

Moldova is an important point in the transit of goods. Unlike counterfeits present in the Western European market, those in the Republic of Moldova are distinguished by low quality, thus endangering the health and life of consumers. For this reason combating of counterfeiting is a priority issue for our society.

In order to establish a direct dialogue between representatives of the companies, trademark holders and public authorities charged with responsibilities in respecting intellectual property rights and combating counterfeiting, on 27 September in Chisinau will be organized a training seminar entitled "Ways of combating the counterfeiting phenomenon".

Organizers of the seminar are the Anti-Counterfeiting Association REACT International, the REACT Romania and Civil Society of Lawyers TURCU & TURCU in collaboration with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova.

The seminar will be held in the Conference Hall of the AGEPI (24/1, Andrei Doga Str.), starting at 9.00.

The seminar will be attended by representatives of the following member companies of the REACT Association: PUMA, SAMSUNG, L’OREAL, CANON, LVMH, BVLGARI, HENCO, G-STAR.

The seminar will be focused on familiarization of police officers, customs officers and prosecutors from the Republic of Moldova with the techniques for detecting the counterfeit products and anti-counterfeiting activities undertaken by the REACT Association companies in collaboration with the relevant government institutions from EU countries.