CBP Offers IP Owners Better Tools For Combating International Counterfeits

Thomas W. Brooke is a Partner in our Washington, D.C. office and Jessica E. Lanier is an Associate in our San Francisco office.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Next month, intellectual property owners will have the benefit of a permanent federal rule that provides for the disclosure of information essential to blocking counterfeit goods from invading the domestic market. The rule, covering certain intellectual property rights enforced at the border, goes into effect Oct. 19.
• Counterfeit clothing, software, food and pharmaceuticals not only hurt business, but can also pose a danger to consumers.
• Under the new federal rule, CBP now has permanent authority to verify the authenticity of imported goods with intellectual property owners by sharing identifying visual marks with mark holders and copyright owners.