Retail Council of Canada applauds Federal Government for Fighting Counterfeiting

TORONTO, March 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) welcomes the federal government's Combating Counterfeit Products Act.

"RCC is supportive of the principles of this bill," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, RCC. "Counterfeit goods are a huge problem for our retailers, the public and the economy, and efforts to fight unscrupulous counterfeiters are very welcome."

The bill will provide the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with the authority to take action against the commercial movement of counterfeit goods at the border, and will also include new criminal offences for commercial trademark counterfeiting.

"RCC is pleased that the bill will also allow Canadian businesses to file a request for assistance with the CBSA, which will enabled border officers to share information with them regarding suspect shipments," said Brisebois.

She added that retailes need protection from counterfeits, but also need to ensure they still have the right to source legitimate product from various suppliers.

"RCC is in favour of anything that both protects retailers' rights while working towards the eradication of counterfeit goods."

Retail Council of Canada (www.retailcouncil.org) is the Voice of Retail. Founded in 1963, RCC is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 45,000 stores of all retail formats, including department, grocery, independent merchants, regional and national specialty chains, and online merchants.

SOURCE: Retail Council of Canada

For further information:

Sally Ritchie
VP Communications, RCC
416 922-0553 ext. 228
1 888-373-8245
416 574-2552 (Mobile)
[e-mail]