The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act” (H.R. 32), a bill aimed at increasing the effectiveness of anti-counterfeiting enforcement efforts both domestically and internationally.
The bill, supported by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, would strengthen existing counterfeiting and trademark law by mandating the destruction of the counterfeit goods, the forfeiture of any assets traceable to illegal counterfeiting activities and forfeiture of any property/equipment used to aid in the commission of the violation. The bill would also allow the U.S. government to insert stronger trademark protections into free trade agreements. The bill now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SEMA has been lobbying for passage on its own and as a member of the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP), an industry-wide effort led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and a number of other companies and trade associations.
For more information, visit www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?id=52970 . >