On April 10–11, 2025, Turcu & Turcu participated in the REACT General Assembly in Amsterdam – the largest annual event in Europe dedicated to intellectual property protection and the global fight against counterfeiting. For two intense days, the Dutch capital hosted hundreds of companies, thousands of brands, legal professionals, and enforcement partners from around the world for high-level discussions and strategic planning.
The agenda featured specialized training sessions, seminars, conferences, debates, and private meetings, offering a vital platform for exchanging insights and building coordinated anti-counterfeiting strategies. The event was opened by Ronald Brohm, General Director of REACT, with a compelling message on the shared responsibility we all bear in safeguarding IP rights and promoting global cooperation.
A United Regional Presence: Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova
Turcu & Turcu was proud to be represented by teams from all three offices – Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova. Throughout the second day, our teams met with global clients to align on regional strategy, assess current cases, and analyze emerging trends in the anti-counterfeiting landscape across our jurisdictions. It was a full day of focused collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic engagement.
A Major Legislative Outcome with EU-Wide Impact
One of the most significant outcomes of this year’s assembly was the adoption of a new working document proposing key legislative amendments at the European Union level related to IPR enforcement. The core objective is to enhance protection against the transit of counterfeit goods and to strengthen customs enforcement measures under Regulation (EU) No. 608/2013.
A central feature of the proposals is the introduction of the “polluter pays” principle in IP enforcement. Under this approach, counterfeiters would bear the full responsibility for all damages, costs, and compensations – including storage, handling, and destruction of seized goods – shifting the financial burden away from rights holders.
This marks a major step forward in creating a more equitable, effective, and deterrent legal framework for IP enforcement across the EU.
Committed to Strategic Collaboration and Stronger Enforcement
The proposals signal a broader commitment to rebalancing responsibility in the IP enforcement chain, supporting rights holders, and increasing the pressure on those who circulate counterfeit products. If adopted, these legislative changes could transform how the EU combats counterfeiting and enforces IP rights across member states.
Turcu & Turcu is proud to have actively contributed to this essential dialogue. Our presence at REACT 2025 reaffirmed our role as a committed legal partner in shaping the future of IP protection and promoting stronger, regionally aligned anti-counterfeiting strategies.