The European Union has adopted new rules to boost the powers of its customs authorities to stem an inflow of counterfeit goods that deprive the EU of around €2.0 billion a year.
According to the European Commission, the number of pirated goods seized by EU customs soared 900 per cent to 100 million articles between 1998 and 2001.
The new rules, which update an EU law from 1994, would allow customs to seize a new category of goods, such as those defined by geography or origin, such as champagne or Parma ham.
Patented breeds of plants would also fall under the rules.
"I welcome the very rapid adoption of this new instrument for the fight against counterfeiting, only six months after the unveiling of the Commission proposal," Internal Market Commissioner Mr Frits Bolkestein said in a statement. The music industry, which estimates that nearly 50 per cent of all CDs sold worldwide are illegal copies, has been very vocal in calling for tougher EU rules against counterfeiting.
Spain, Italy and Greece are deemed to be the most affected EU countries, with music piracy rates between 25 and 50 per cent.