There are usually two (2) main avenues of enforcement which are common for the majority of countries: civil litigation and criminal prosecution.
Enforcement through Courts, criminal proceeding (or police) or administrative bodies are possible only in few countries of South-East Asia. It is important to know what the most effective way may be according to the country of interest. Please bear in mind that some countries do not provide administrative actions at all (e.g. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Singapore) and only allow civil litigation or criminal prosecution or customs seizure.
In countries where administrative procedures are possible (e.g. Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam), the main differences are:
• In general, the administrative channel is considered relatively fast and cost effective, but only issues confiscation and destruction orders, and fines.
• The judicial channel can lead to compensation in damages and/or even to criminal punishment, but is time consuming and more expensive.
The question of the most appropriate enforcement method depends on the specific case and claims as well as the country of reference. Administrative measures might still be seen as deficient and not effective due to a lack of sufficient resources (both financial and human). Furthermore proper training of the enforcement agencies, as well as punishments that act as a deterrent for infringers may not be available.
The efficiency of police raids may also be compromised by leaks from police sources and corruption in some countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
It is always recommended that you consult a specialised lawyer to gain advice on the appropriate enforcement actions to take in a specific country. Collecting valid evidences is crucial to win a case everywhere.
Some countries in South-East Asia consider IP infringement as a criminal offence and it would be worth considering this avenue. For instance, in Thailand, criminal prosecutions are usually considered as the most cost- effective enforcement route available to IP right holders. However, search warrants, necessary to conduct a raid, are also very difficult to qualify for, as the standard of evidence required is very high.