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)