Counterfeit products represent a growing problem for a wide range of industries. There are many estimates of the size of this problem most of which coalesce around $500-billion annually on a global basis. Overall, a wide range of industries agree that there is a severe problem with the global protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), yet, there have been virtually no attempts to describe all aspects of the problem. This book aims at giving the most complete description of various characteristics of the intellectual property rights (IPR) environment in a global context. The authors believe a holistic understanding of the problem must include consumer complicity to purchase counterfeit, actions of the counterfeiters (pirates) as well as actions (or inaction) by home and host governments, and the role of international organizations and industry alliances. Only after establishing how all the actors in the IPR environment relate to one another can we describe global protection of the intellectual property rights environment and the managerial response of IPR owners and/or industry associations to combat this ongoing problem. The book concludes with pragmatic recommendations for protecting intellectual property given the recent trends discussed in the previous chapters, making it of interest to practitioners and policy-makers alike.

Mrs.Dhanashri Devendra Dhokate, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Padmabhooshan Vasantraodada Patil Institute of Technology, Budhgaon, Sangli Maharashtra, India. Dr.Anushka Ashitosh Patil, Professor, Department of First Year Engineering, Padmabhooshan Vasantraodada Patil Institute of Technology, Budhgaon, Sangli Maharashtra, India. Dr.Tejas Balasaheb Kanase, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Botany, Government College of Agricultural, Karad, Maharashtra, India. Ch.L.N.Deepika, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, KL University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

This book looks at the consumer protection offered in a range of Asian countries, for example China, Japan, and South Korea in key areas such as consumer sales law, unfair terms, product liability, and unfair commercial practices. However, it is interesting to note that consumer protection is on the rise everywhere and to compare how this differs depending upon the legal cultures. It is also fascinating to reflect on the influence of models for law reform such as the EU laws. ASEAN has also affected the development of consumer policy for its member states. The book takes the form of national reports which explain the development of the law and also shed light on how the law works in practice. The book also contains thematic reports which look at each area of the law from a comparative perspective. Commentators from around the globe reflect on their impression of Asian consumer law based on their own differing legal systems and benchmarks. A must-read for anyone with an interest in consumer law in Asia and beyond, this book will form the basis of further research and discussion internationally.

Unfair treatment of consumers, ranging from pressure selling to systematic scams by criminals, is costing billions of pounds each year - but the system for enforcing consumer law is not delivering value for money. The overall scale of this so-called 'consumer detriment', particularly that caused by doorstep crime, is not being properly evaluated, leading to the inefficient allocation of resources. Although much detriment occurs at the regional and national level, incentives are weighted against a coordinated approach which goes beyond local areas. While there are no reliable figures, NAO estimates the cost of detriment which cannot be tackled at local level is more than £4.8 billion each year. Central government provides annual funding of £34 million to tackle crime which crosses the borders between local authorities, but this is relatively low compared to the scale of the problem. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills estimates that the annual funding for Trading Standards Services will reduce from £213 million to about £140 million-£170 million by 2014, affecting action to address this problem. The framework for prioritizing and allocating cases, introduced by the Office of Fair Trading, is not being applied as intended. But formal structures for supporting the model are not in place in seven of the eleven regions, and there is still a lack of clarity over who should be taking cases forward. As a result, the OFT has been able to take enforcement action on only two of the 15 cases referred to it in the last two years.

This volume considers the impact of technological innovation on the foundations of consumer advocacy, contracting behaviour, control over intellectual capital and information privacy. A unique and timely perspective on these issues is presented by internationally renowned experts who provide novel approaches to the question of what consumer protection might consist of in the context of technological innovation.