萬國法律事務所

Taiwan’s Premier announced late last year that the Ministry of Economic Affairs would provide rewards of NT$ 1 million (approximately US$ 29,000) to citizens who supply information that leads to the arrest of significant illegal copiers. The reward offer is expected to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights in Taiwan.

The Premier indicated that 2002 was designated the “Action Year for Intellectual Property Rights Protection,” and reconfirmed Taiwan’s determination to stop illegal copying in Taiwan. Simultaneously, the Premier instructed Taiwan’s courts and prosecutors to jointly lease large storage areas for seized counterfeit and or contraband goods. The Premier also ordered the Ministry of Finance to detail the laws and regulations necessary to provide Customs the authority to confiscate goods that infringe copyrights, and directed the Ministry of the Interior to order the National Police Administration to establish special units throughout Taiwan to conduct comprehensive investigations of illicit CD factories and to take action against illegal copying activities within their own jurisdictions.