US announces new anti-counterfeiting trade agreement - leatherbiz: Lea Leatherbiz

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US announces new anti-counterfeiting trade agreement

24/10/2007
In response to the ever-increasing volume of counterfeit goods such as branded footwear, luxury leathergoods and accessories, making their way onto the market US Trade Representative Susan Schwab has announced plans to pursue an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) with US trade partners. The agreement is aimed at consolidating international intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement activities through unified standards, sharing of best practices and overall increased collaboration. 

Meanwhile, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), which is supporting the ACTA, will hold its annual two-day counterfeiting and IPR conference in Long Beach, California on November 6 and 7. The event, which will be attended by government representatives and industry IPR experts, will begin with a tour of the US Customs and Border Protection’s Container Examination Station at the Port of Long Beach and will include seminars designed to develop greater dialogue between the private and public sector.

“The prevalence of knock-offs is a serious threat to the apparel and footwear industry’s companies, workers and consumers,” said Kevin Burke, president and CEO, AAFA.  “Footwear and apparel products represented 36% and 14%, respectively, of all seized counterfeit goods by US Customs in the first half of 2007.”


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