STOPfakes News - 2008

Customs Guidelines to Maximize Protection of Intellectual Property

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the European Union (EU) have developed a set of guiding principles for companies to better protect their IP. These guidelines will help enhance U.S. and EU Customs Officers’ abilities to differentiate legitimate and illicit goods and prevent illegal goods from entering the supply chain.

Negotiations Continue on a New Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

Participants from over eleven governments recently concluded a second round of negotiations for a new Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), with the goal of enhancing the enforcement of intellectual property rights. ACTA participants included: Australia, Canada, the European Union - represented by the European Commission and Member States, including the EU Presidency (France), - Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States.

Seventh Annual Ambassador’s Roundtable Announced

On November 6th - 7th U.S. Ambassador to China, Clark T. Randt, will host the seventh annual "Ambassador’s Roundtable on Intellectual Property" in Beijing, China. The Ambassador’s Roundtable provides an opportunity for American businesses and entrepreneurs to discuss the latest news regarding the protection and enforcement of IP within China. This year discussions will highlight new Chinese legislation and strategies, including China’s new National IPR Strategy; the new Anti-Monopoly Law; current efforts to revise patent, trademark, and copyright laws; and the rejuvenated bilateral JCCT IPR Working Group.

President Bush Announces New IP Enforcement Coordinator

The President announced today his intention to appoint Wayne B. Paugh to be the U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement. As Coordinator, Paugh will work with agencies across the Administration to coordinate policies and programs to enforce intellectual property rights overseas through both the Administration’s STOP! Initiative, the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy, and the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council. (White House Press Release)

USTR Releases 2008 “Special 301” Report

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued the annual Special 301 report on U.S. trading partners efforts to protect and enforce intellectual property (IP). The annual report issued by USTR reviews IP protection efforts made around the world and depicts important country specific information used by policy-makers to address challenges of IP protection. Counterfeiting and piracy negatively impacts the national economy, decreases jobs, and threatens consumer health and safety. The Bush Administration has amplified efforts to confront IP crimes through enhanced coordination of agencies tasked with protecting and enforcing IP across the Federal Government. (USTR Press Release) 

Five New IP-Toolkits Launched on STOPfakes.gov

The United States launched five new IP-Toolkits to aid American innovators and entrepreneurs protect their intellectual property. The Toolkits were created through collaboration from across the Government agencies and focus on specific countries, including Egypt, India, Paraguay, Thailand, and Vietnam. These new Toolkits bring the total number of country toolkits to 15.

Program on Protection of Intellectual Property in China and the Global Market

On April 2-3, the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is hosting a free, two-day program for American businesses on all of the different measures and procedures available to protect and enforce IP in China and the global marketplace. The program will be held at the Hobby Airport Marriott hotel in Houston, Texas. This program is part of an ongoing initiative to increase public awareness and highlight the importance of protecting and enforcing intellectual property.

Law Enforcement Takes Action Against Counterfeit Cisco Systems Hardware

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Royal Canadian Mounted Police recently announced results from an ongoing international enforcement initiative between the United States and Canada that targets the illegal distribution of counterfeit network hardware manufactured in China. This ongoing operation has resulted in more than 400 seizures of counterfeit Cisco network hardware and labels having an estimated retail value of more than $76 million. It is being led by ICE, CBP and the FBI working in conjunction with DOJ’s Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

U.S. Customs and European Commission Tax & Customs Directorate Announce Results of "Operation Infrastructure"

The United States’ Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the European Union’s Tax and Customs Directorate (TAXUD) announced the final results from Operation Infrastructure conducted from November to December 2007. Operation Infrastructure is the first joint operation focused specifically on protecting intellectual property carried out by CBP and TAXUD. This collaborative effort resulted in the seizure of over 360,000 counterfeit integrated circuits and computer network components bearing over 40 different trademarks. This operation is a direct outcome from the highly successful dialogue developed through the U.S.-EU IP Working Group. 

2008 NIPLECC Report to the President and Congress

U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement Chris Israel released the 2008 NIPLECC Report to the President and Congress at an event on Capitol Hill. Representatives from the NIPLECC Agencies, Congressional Staff, and industry participated in the release of the Report. The 2008 Report highlights the successful coordination across the U.S. Government to protect and enforce intellectual property around the world. 

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