Written question asked by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 June 2007. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to tackle the production and sale of counterfeit Olympic products before the 2012 Olympics.

Answer: The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 and the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 contain provisions that safeguard the intellectual property rights of the London 2012 Games. This includes giving customs and trading standards officers powers to detain and seize goods which infringe the rights of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the British Olympic Association by using the Olympic and Paralympic terminology, symbols or mottos without their consent.LOCOG has begun planning their strategy to combat unofficial merchandise and counterfeit goods and are in the process of identifying a prevention and enforcement policy for the next five years. They have also set up an Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group whose aim is to collaborate and share information and best practice, and to develop a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary approach to the issue. The Working Group includes representatives from HM Revenue and Customs, Trading Standards, Metropolitan Police, Olympic Security Directorate, and the Intellectual Property Office.The provisions contained in the Olympic-specific legislation are in addition to the general intellectual property rights which LOCOG will also rely on to protect the brands related to London 2012, the Olympic movement and Paralympic movement.

Secondary information