CBP Should Share Information on Customs Broker, Other Details on Imported Counterfeits, US Chamber Says
CBP should release the details on imported shipments found to include counterfeit products, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) said in comments to the agency (here). The GIPC's and other comments (here) were submitted as part of CBP's proposed rule to create a donation program to help it with intellectual property rights enforcement (see 1701130021). The proposed rule is a result of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which said CBP must issue regulations allowing the agency to accept industry donations for IPR enforcement (see 1602230080). That law "also expands post-seizure information sharing with industry experts" and "CBP agents should proactively use these new tools to maximize advanced counterfeit detection with industry," the GIPC said.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Effective information sharing "can quickly change investigative outcomes" and real-time communication is the goal, the GIPC said. "It would be tremendously beneficial to share details such as the container number, customs broker, freight forwarders, associated telephone numbers and email addresses once the goods have been deemed counterfeit," it said. "Brand owners require deeper information to identify illicit trade patterns and uncover the culprits behind the fake goods. Indeed, if provided this information, brand owners would be empowered to analyze the data and provide CBP additional information regarding the illicit trafficking of counterfeit goods that would enable CBP to even more accurately target and stop these illegal flows of illicit goods from which criminal organizations profit." The Entertainment Software Association also filed comments (here) in support of the effort.