Brussels, 14/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 September, the European Commission announced that it had adopted a communication on improving the application of intellectual property laws in the internal market. This communication lays out a raft of initiatives aimed to respond to the serious consequences of counterfeiting and piracy for the economies of the EU and on society. The Commission proposes to add to the legal framework by reinforcing cooperation between the private sector, the national authorities and consumers. In its plans to add to existing legislation, the Commission recommends: - the creation of a European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy made up of representatives of the Member States, consumers and private-sector experts, to be tasked with collecting data, assessing the scale of problems, sharing information, promoting best practice and strategies, increasing awareness and proposing solutions to the problems identified; - increasing administrative cooperation in Europe, by developing coordination to ensure more effective exchanges of information and mutual assistance. The Member States called upon to appoint "national coordinators". The national intellectual property offices should have access to an electronic network for the exchange of information on infringements of intellectual property rights; - creating "coalitions" between stakeholders to overcome disputes, by developing voluntary agreements to concentrate on specific problems, such as the sales of counterfeit goods over the Internet, and which would be in a position to adapt rapidly to changes on the markets and in technologies. Agreements of this kind could be extended beyond the EU and promote the respect of best practice at global level. (O.L./trans.fl)