U.S. Government Seeks Industry Help Assessing Chinese Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement Efforts

American industry support is needed to bolster the U.S. drive for tougher Chinese enforcement against trademark pirates. Each year, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) assesses worldwide compliance with the obligations of nations to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights (IPR) in their countries. Given China's central role in the spread of counterfeit trafficking hurting U.S. aftermarket and other manufacturers' global sales, USTR is conducting an out of cycle review solely exploring China's follow-through on its myriad enforcement commitments.

From AAIA AutoFacts

BETHESDA, MD — American industry support is needed to bolster the U.S. drive for tougher Chinese enforcement against trademark pirates. Each year, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) assesses worldwide compliance with the obligations of nations to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights (IPR) in their countries. Given China’s central role in the spread of counterfeit trafficking hurting U.S. aftermarket and other manufacturers’ global sales, USTR is conducting an out of cycle review solely exploring China’s follow-through on its myriad enforcement commitments.

As a member of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association is able to protect the identity of members’ information by ensuring that it is presented only in aggregate form in the submittal made by the IACC. USTR is interested in learning more about the enforcement experiences of U.S. companies in China, or in other countries where Chinese firms export counterfeit goods.

The information being sought includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1) Total number of raids in China (identify time period).
2) How many times a particular facility was raided/results.
3) Total of items seized/destroyed (identify time period).
4) Total number of arrests.
5) Disposition of defendants in administrative/criminal cases (e.g., level of fines imposed/paid, prison sentences imposed and served).
6) Information regarding equipment used to produce goods.
7) Information about facility (shut down or not).
8) Seizures of China origin goods in third markets.

Any information that helps support complaints regarding China’s enforcement system deficiencies is welcome. Please send information to Lee Kadrich at AAIA no later than close of business on Monday, Jan. 17 to ensure its inclusion in the IACC submittal.

For more information, contact Lee Kadrich at 301-654-6664 or e-mail [email protected]

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