At this time, there is still no formal process available to brand owners to record their valuable trademarks with the customs authorities in Kuwait in order to address the importation of counterfeit goods at the borders of the country.  This means that the ability to take effective action against the trade in counterfeit goods within the market in Kuwait is of critical importance.  

In addition to the regular civil and criminal proceedings that a brand owner may bring against counterfeiters in order to enforce their intellectual property rights, the Commercial Control Department (the “CCD”) at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Kuwait provides a highly effective administrative mechanism through which enforcement actions can be taken. The CCD is the government authority within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Kuwait that is responsible for inter alia protecting intellectual property rights within the market.