By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:


POLICE have expressed determination to crackdown on the illicit trade of pirated and counterfeit goods after the US government dubbed the force complicit in such illicit trade.

The United States Trade Representative's Office report on the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) which presents the official view of the Obama administration describes the enforcement of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) laws in the Bahamas as "lax".

It further states how anecdotal evidence suggests, "the police are complicit in the buying and selling of pirated movies, songs and fabricated high-end purses to residents and tourists".

But spokesman for the US Embassy in Nassau Jeff Dubel said the terminology used in the report required by Congress to continue funding for the Caribbean initiative simply relates to the fact that pirated and counterfeit goods are bought and sold openly in the country.

He named two local operations where, he said, copyright films are duplicated and sold without returning profit to the filmmakers. As the businesses are allowed to continue without interception by police the police must be termed complicit, Mr Dubel said.

In addition independent vendors freely sell pirated DVD's in Nassau's streets and in the Bay Street straw market where an array of faux name-brand bags and purses.

But police maintain that the force does not condone such activity and is determined to intercept it where possible having been trained in how to approach operations, take evidence and build a case with assistance from the US Embassy.

The US Embassy in Nassau worked with the police and the Attorney General's office to draft legislation and rules for the enforcement of IPR's two years ago and facilitated a two-day workshop on IPR law enforcement at the Police Training College in November.

A total of 25 members of the police force, the Bahamas Customs Office, Attorney General's Office and department of the Public Prosecutor shared ideas and developed strategies to enforce existing IPR laws during the course so officials can designate and protect intellectual property.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hulan Hanna said: "We know there is a problem, and the Americans engaged us positively whereby a number of officers received training in bootlegging, piracy and counterfeit goods trade, and that is something we will work at diligently to try to disrupt this illegal process.

"It is not something that is condoned by the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the training our officers received from the Americans provoked a positive response from both sides."

The enforcement of IPR laws is not only important for the protection of filmmakers in Hollywood, but they are also vital for local artists and the survival of local arts and culture, Mr Dubel said.

He praised Bahamian police for their enthusiasm in enforcing IPR laws and clarified the terminology of the report.

Mr Dubel said: "The police are doing a lot to try to enforce these things, but there is also a lot more work to be done by everybody.

"Working together is the best way to fix it and the Bahamian authorities have been very cooperative, and wanting to do more.

"The CBERA report on the whole is very positive and by complicit we should be clear that we do not think the police are involved, but there are all these things going on here.

He named an outlet that he said "is selling bootleg DVD's and no one has closed it down, and when you walk into the Straw Market the first few stalls are full of counterfeit music and DVD's, so it's not being enforced.

"It does not mean to imply that the police are corrupt or have done anything to aid it, it just means that they're there and no one has enforced it on them."

January 06, 2010

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