§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on counterfeit goods seized in the Province in the last year. [187450]
§ Mr. PearsonThe Police Service of Northern Ireland have had significant success in disrupting and frustrating criminals networks involved in intellectual property crime and in 2003–04 seized £7.6 million of counterfeit goods. Enforcement work is continuing, and under the umbrella of the Organised Crime Task Force the PSNI is working in partnership with industry and brand holders to identify illicit products, improve 1475W understanding of the scope of trademark and copyright law, and raise public awareness of the risks associated with the purchase of counterfeit goods.