JAKARTA -- Piracy of intellectual property rights can be found all over Southeast Asia. A short visit to the street markets of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila or Singapore will convince anyone that counterfeits, fakes and so-called look-alike products are big business.
In most countries the problem has been recognized and authorities are trying to deal with it. Indonesia, however, seems to be lagging in the fight against piracy.
Violation of intellectual property rights is rampant in Indonesia. One doesn't have to go to Jakarta's trashy marketplaces Glodok or Mangga Dua, with their illegally copied VCDs, fake clothing, counterfeit cosmetics and imitation electronics, to understand this. Even the most luxurious shopping malls sell fakes of expensive brand-name goods at the same price as the originals.