An article penned by Gaston Kroub on Abovethelaw.com, analyses the U.S. Customs and Border Protection role in “policing IP infringement by foreign-sourced products” and how IP lawyers should be aware of its services.
Gaston Kroub had the chance to sit down with Edward Moriarty, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Assistant Port Director for Trade Enforcement, Area Port of Philadelphia and ask him five questions in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection involvement in protecting IP.
In this first part of the article series, Kroub highlights how the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is playing an important role in stopping the importing of counterfeit products, and wondered how the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agencies awareness can be raised to ensure more IP lawyers can assist their clients in IP protection.
Moriarty in his answer highlights that the Customs and Border Protection’s work is most recognised in seizures of infringing products. He added: “The theft of intellectual property and trade in fake goods threaten America’s economic vitality and national security, and the American people’s health and safety. Trade in these illicit goods funds criminal activities and organized crime.”
In the article Moriarty talked about the Customs and Border Protection “Truth Behind Counterfeits” advertising campaign and how it raised awareness of travellers at airports about goods they purchased.
Asked about counterfeiters targeting sports brands in particular, prevention of infringement for Moriarty comes from collaboration between the Customs and Border Protection Agency and the actual brand owners encouraging voluntary registration of trademarks and copyrights on the agency’s web-based tool.
For the full article click here.
