<h1>New 2007 rules let customs suspend clearance of imported goods suspected of infringing intellectual property on right-holder notice</h1> New rules titled 'Intellectual Property Rights (Imported Goods) Enforcement Rules, 2007' empower customs authorities to suspend clearance of imported goods suspected of infringing IPRs upon written notice by a right holder who pays a fee and files prescribed bonds and indemnities. The customs commissioner may accept and register notices for one year and circulate them to ports; deputy/assistant commissioners may suspend clearance on prima facie grounds and must lift unsustained suspensions within five working days. A contemporaneous notification lists prohibited imports including items with false trademarks or trade descriptions, counterfeit designs or copyrights, patent- or process-patent-infringing products, false geographical indications, and imports banned under copyright law.