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Customs Recordation in Myanmar Fights Trade in Counterfeit Goods
Customs Recordation System in Myanmar
Despite the absence of specific laws or written guidelines enumerating the procedure and framework for recordation of trademarks, the MCD does have a customs recordation system in place. The MCD is empowered under the archaic Sea Customs Act 1878 (as amended up to 2015) to seize counterfeit goods entering Myanmar by land or sea. Under Section 18 of the Act, goods bearing counterfeit trademarks and false trade descriptions are prohibited from entry into Myanmar.
Brand owners who have recorded trademarks at the Office of Registration of Deeds can record these marks at the MCD by furnishing the following:
- Application letter;
- Distribution agreement or supply agreement with local distributor or partner;
- Declaration of ownership of trademark;
- Cautionary notice published in Myanmar newspapers;
- Date of first use in Myanmar and outside of Myanmar;
- Description of product;
- Trademark specimen;
- Brief identification guide of counterfeit/imitation goods and original goods; and
- Any other documents or information requested by the MCD.