Counterfeit seizures rise 83%; Agencies credit new tools for stopping $155 million in goods.(BUSINESS)

0 Comments | Washington Times, The, January, 2007

Byline: Steve Hirsch, THE WASHINGTON TIMES New enforcement tools and cooperation with industry are among the reasons the government was able to report an 83 percent increase in seizures of counterfeit goods during fiscal 2006, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner W. Ralph Basham.

Last year, more than 80 percent of goods seized by value were from China. The protection of intellectual property is a major issue in U.S.-Chinese economic relations. The Homeland Security Department earlier this month said Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted more than 14,000 seizures of counterfeit goods worth more than $155 million. Footwear accounted for 41 percent of the value of the confiscated goods. Also...