New bill allows customs to stop pirated imports
New bill allows customs to stop pirated imports
JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Customs and Excise Duty will be empowered to stop the importation of pirated goods when the bill on customs is enacted later this year.
Director General Soehardjo said over the weekend that his office at present has no authority to stop the importation of pirated goods into Indonesia unless a new law on customs is enacted.
"Currently, we cannot stop pirated imports, including computer software, because we just do not have the authority to do so," Soehardjo told journalists.
He made the remarks following a move by a U.S. computer software manufacturer which reportedly lobbied the U.S. government to investigate allegations that Indonesia has become a haven for pirated computer software.
After the U.S. Trade Representative's recent success of measures taken against piracy of copyrights, patents and trademarks in China, the next target is reportedly Indonesia, along with Bulgaria and Turkey.
The International Intellectual Property Alliance and the U.S.- based Business Software Alliance have asked the U.S. Trade Representative to move Indonesia from the Watch List to the Priority List for investigations.
Richard P. Napitupulu of the Investment Coordinating Board contended that the allegation of piracy on computer software and laser discs in Indonesia was baseless as Indonesia's technology had not yet reached the level of capability to pirate such software.
"The pirated products circulated here are mostly imported from China and Singapore. Thus, the United States cannot accuse us of pirating their intellectual property rights," Napitupulu said.
He said the customs office was responsible for the pirated products circulated in Indonesia as the office is the one which oversees the flow of goods entering and leaving the country.
"The customs office is the key to curb or even stop the inflow of pirated products," Napitupulu was quoted by Antara.
Soehardjo, however, said his office is not responsible for the influx of pirated goods because customs officials inspect goods upon arrival in seaports or airports only if complaints from importers or sole agents are received.
"As long as there are no complaints from importers, we cannot do anything. Therefore, I hope the new bill will soon be passed into a law," Soehardjo said.
The government submitted the bill to the House of Representatives last week and the Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad is scheduled to give his remarks on the bill before the House on March 17.
Soehardjo said the bill also touches on copyrights, patents and trademarks. (rid)