RIYADH: Saudi officials have confiscated and destroyed more than 95,000 items that violated intellectual property rights.
The goods included pirated books, satellite broadcasting equipment and computer data storage devices, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property said in a report.
More than 2,000 websites that violated intellectual property rights were also closed down, it said.
The crackdown was part of the authority’s work alongside the Ministry of Commerce and Public Security and the General Authority for Audio-Visual Media.
Of the goods destroyed, more than 9,000 were found to have violated copyright laws, while 85,000 were counterfeit items that breached trademark regulations, the report said.
The items in violation of copyright rules included electronics, recordings, computer software and codes for encrypted broadcast subscriptions, while the counterfeit goods included electronic devices, sportswear and vehicle accessories.
Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, CEO of the SAIP, said the authority sought to enhance awareness of intellectual property rights and the need to comply with related regulations and laws.
