JAKARTA -- Piracy of intellectual property rights is found all over Southeast Asia. A short visit to the street markets of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila or Singapore will convince anybody that counterfeits, fakes and so-called look-alike products are big business. In most countries the problem is recognized and authorities are trying to deal with it.
Indonesia, however, seems to be lagging in the fight against piracy.
Violations of intellectual property rights are rampant in Indonesia. One does not have to go to Jakarta's trashy marketplaces such as Glodok and Mangga Dua with their illegal copied VCD's, fake clothing, counterfeit cosmetics and pirated electronics to find proof of this. Even the most luxurious shopping malls are selling pirated products of expensive brands such as leather bags and shoes.