2010-03-13

IPR enforcement in counterfeit and pirated goods in US

Growing world trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America's innovation economy, the competitiveness of leading companies and small businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in many cases, the health and safety of consumers.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the primary U.S. border enforcement agency, and intellectual property rights are a CBP Priority Trade Issue. CBP works closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), its sister agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to combat the trade in counterfeit goods.

     The agency's strategic approach to IPR enforcement is multi-layered, and includes seizing fake goods at our borders; pushing the border outward through audits of importers who bring fake goods into the U.S. and through cooperationwith our trading partners internationally; and partnering with industry and other Federal agencies to enhance these efforts.

CBP and ICE seizures of counterfeit and pirated goods have increased dramatically: In fiscal year 2007, CBP/ICE seized IPR infringing goods with a domestic value of more than $196 million. This figure represents an increase of 26 percent in domestic value in just one year.

In fiscal year 2006, CBP and ICE seized 606 shipments of counterfeit goods posing potential safety and security risks with a domestic value of $13.7 million. In fiscal year 2007, there were 1295 seizures of counterfeit goods with potential safety and security risks valued at $27.9 million (domestic).

Both in value and in number, seizures of counterfeit goods posing safety or security threats more than doubled year to year. Products seized include electrical articles, pharmaceuticals, perfume, cigarettes, batteries, auto parts, food, and sunglasses.

Stopping the flow of fake goods is a priority for the U.S. government and for CBP. The Strategy for Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) is a comprehensive U.S. government effort to protect the intellectual property rights of American businesses in the U.S. and around the world. STOP! brings together U.S. government agencies in a coordinated initiative to smash the criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders, block bogus goods around the world, and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets.