see also: in January 2004:   Lost Migrant Found Alive by BORSTAR, Deming Border Patrol Agents   Homeland Security Officers to March in Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize Large Cache of Marijuana   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes 2.2 Million lbs of Illegal Drugs; $51 Million in Currency FY 2003   Preventing Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases: More Than 1.7 Million Prohibited Agricultural Items Intercepted Last Year   $24 Billion in Federal Revenue Collected by Customs and Border Protection   Tight Security, Technology, and Manpower Result in One Million Apprehensions of People Seeking to Illegally Enter the U. S. in 2003 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection made 6,500 seizures of merchandise in violation of intellectual property rights (IPR) laws in FY2003, an increase of about 700 over the previous fiscal year, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announced today.

"The primary mission of CBP is to detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the country," said Commissioner Bonner. "But we also must carry out other missions, including detecting and intercepting shipments of goods that violate the laws protecting intellectual property."

Added Commissioner Bonner: "Enforcement of these laws prevents consumers from purchasing inferior and dangerous merchandise, and preserves American jobs. But it also protects the investment U.S. businesses have made in individuals with good ideas. It is no exaggeration to say that enforcing these laws goes a long way toward protecting the commercial ingenuity for which our country is known."

The value of FY 2003 IPR seizures amounts to $94 million. IPR violations include trademark, trade name, copyright and patent violations. CBP seizures often lead to criminal investigations by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), like CBP, a Department of Homeland Security agency.

In addition to protecting consumers and the economy, the enforcement of IPR laws also has an impact on public health and safety. Recently, CBP seizures in Houston and New York prevented a shipment of hazardous electrical products from winding up on U.S. store shelves. The seized merchandise - electrical cords and power strips - melted and caught fire during testing by Underwriters Laboratories.

"People willing to smuggle counterfeit goods have no regard for the harm their goods can cause," said Commissioner Bonner. "Sometimes, IPR seizures can save lives, as the Houston and New York seizures indicate."

A breakdown of counterfeit commodities seized in FY 2003 runs as follows:

• Cigarettes with a domestic value of $41.7 million
• Wearing apparel valued at $14 million
• Handbags, wallets, and backpacks valued at $11.5 million
• Media such as DVDs and movies on tape and laser disc valued at $7.3 million
• Consumer electronics goods valued at $3.8 million
• Watches and watch parts valued at $3.4 million
• Footwear valued at $2.6 million
• Toys and games valued at $1.5 million
• Sunglasses valued at $1.3 million
• Headwear valued at $1.3 million
• Other seized goods totaled $5.7 million

The top five countries of origin for counterfeit goods seized are:

• China
• Hong Kong
• Korea
• Pakistan
• Mexico

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies Customs, Immigration and Agriculture Inspectors and U.S. Border Patrol Agents.