Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Intellectual property rights (IPR) refer to the legal rights given to an inventoror a creator of an intellectual product, to protect their invention or creation for a certain period of time.

As a general rule, products covered by an intellectual property right can only be used when the rights-holder of the exclusive right has agreed to such exploration. Such exclusive rights are protected by international conventions and national law. Norway has several laws that protect intellectual property rights, including the Copyright Act, the Trademarks Act and the Designs Act.

IPR goods (also referred to as pirated copies or pirated goods) are goods that infringe such rights. Such goods are imitations or copies of products with a special trademark, design or patent.

"The main rule is that the individual copyright holder has the sole right to decide how their intellectual work is made available to others," (Quote by Norwegian Industrial Property Office, 20 October 2020).

The role of the Norwegian Customs Service

The role of the Norwegian Customs Service when IPR goods are detained.

The role of the rightsholder

Norwegian Customs Service will contact the rightsholder when goods suspected ofbeing fake have been detained.

Legal grounds for the detention of goods from Norwegian Customs services

Norwegian Customs' three grounds for detaining goods in the event of infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR), and the procedure for obtaining assistance from the customs authorities.

Application for action from Norwegian customs authorities

When you suspect infringement you can send an application for the Norwegian Customs assistance in Altinn.

Protection of branded goods