
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of counterfeit products related to the popular Chinese toy brand Labubu and highlights the efforts of Chinese customs to protect intellectual property rights by intercepting infringing goods at borders [6][8][11]. Group 1: Intellectual Property Protection - The General Administration of Customs reported that in the first half of the year, customs seized 11,000 batches and 38.675 million items suspected of infringing intellectual property rights [6]. - Customs employs two main enforcement modes: application-based protection and proactive protection, allowing rights holders to request the detention of suspected infringing goods [8][14]. - The article emphasizes the importance of customs in maintaining market order and protecting the reputation of Chinese brands globally [8][11]. Group 2: Counterfeit Product Issues - The popularity of Labubu has led to an increase in counterfeit products, with customs officials noting a trend of these products moving overseas [6][8]. - Specific examples include a case where Guangzhou customs intercepted a shipment of plush toys falsely labeled as Labubu, which were confirmed to infringe on intellectual property rights [7][10]. - The article highlights the negative impact of counterfeit products on legitimate sales and brand reputation, particularly for Chinese brands expanding internationally [8][11]. Group 3: Customs Enforcement Techniques - Customs has implemented advanced technologies, such as image recognition systems, to enhance the detection of counterfeit goods, transitioning from manual inspection to machine-assisted identification [9]. - The article mentions that customs officials are trained to identify key features of genuine Labubu products, such as craftsmanship and labeling [8][9]. - Various customs offices, including Tianjin and Nanning, have developed specific strategies to target high-risk categories of goods that are prone to infringement [9][10]. Group 4: Market Environment and Brand Protection - The article discusses how timely interception of counterfeit goods by customs protects the legitimate rights of companies and supports the growth of small and medium enterprises [11][12]. - It highlights the case of a local brand, Izhaar, which benefited from customs intervention against counterfeit products, allowing it to focus on product quality and export planning [12][13]. - The overall message underscores the role of customs in fostering a favorable business environment and enhancing the confidence of rights holders in China's intellectual property protection system [14][15].