White House Bill Signing Ceremony Marks New Anti-Counterfeiting Law

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) joined Congressional and industry leaders at the White House March 16, as President Bush signed into law the "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act" (H.R. 32).

The act enhances criminal sanctions against trademark counterfeiters. It closes a loophole in current criminal law, which currently does not criminally prohibit trafficking in the counterfeit labels and packaging that are used with counterfeit goods. It also requires the disposal of counterfeit goods and marks to ensure that trademark thieves do not profit from their sale.

"Our association and industry congratulate and thank bill sponsors, Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich. and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., for marshalling strong bi-partisan support to pass legislation so vital to protecting American consumers, businesses and workers from the dangers of product piracy," said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. "We also salute President Bush for his commitment to enact tougher penalties and for his administration's comprehensive Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) campaign."

"Our laws now become a greater deterrent to trademark theft, by making the potential costs of getting caught much higher than the potential profits of product piracy," said Lee Kadrich, AAIA vice president, government affairs and trade. "This new act also arms U.S. trade negotiators to win equivalent statutory protections from the many trade partners seeking free trade agreements with the United States."