From AAIA AutoFacts
WASHINGTON — In May, Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., introduced legislation which tightens loopholes in the current law to curb the flow of illegitimate goods. The bill, Protecting American Goods and Services Act of 2005, would impose stiff penalties for those possessing counterfeit goods with the intent to sell or traffic in those goods. In addition, it expands the definition of “traffic” to include any distribution of counterfeits with the expectation of gaining something of value, and it criminalizes the importation and exportation of counterfeit goods.
The bill differs from the House-passed bill, the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act (H.R. 32), which is specifically aimed at trafficking in goods bearing counterfeit labeling and packaging. H.R. 32 requires the forfeiture of such goods, as well as the means of producing them, and the proceeds from their production. A companion measure to H.R. 32 is expected to be introduced in June in the Senate.
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