Safety and Security Threats
CBP has targeted and seized an increasing number of counterfeit products that pose safety threats to American consumers, to our infrastructure, and potentially to our security. These products range from electrical articles such as power cords and lights that can catch fire or shock consumers, to batteries that may explode or leak mercury, to personal care items such as toothpaste and shampoo that may contain harmful bacteria, to computer network components and semiconductors that can cripple infrastructure vital for national security.

Strategic Approach to IPR Enforcement
Stopping the flow of fake goods is a priority for the U.S. government, and CBP has designated intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement as a Priority Trade Issue (PTI). Our strategic approach to IPR enforcement is multi-layered and includes seizing fake goods at our borders, pushing the border outward through audits of infringing importers and cooperation with our international trading partners, and partnering with industry and other government agencies to enhance these efforts. CBP provides considerable resources, diverse personnel and focused training to respond to IPR issues.

IPR enforcement is integrated into the work of several offices throughout CBP. The Office of International Trade develops national IP enforcement policy and initiatives, directs foreign diplomacy, targets shipments of IPR infringing goods, audits infringing importers, and provides training and legal guidance on IPR seizures and penalties. CBP officers and Import Specialist from the Office of Field Operations inspect and seize IPR infringing shipments at ports of entry on a daily basis. Other CBP offices, including the Office of Information and Technology and the Office of International Affairs and Trade Relations, provide valuable expertise in laboratory analysis and provide assistance with foreign diplomacy to further CBP’s IPR enforcement mission. CBP internally coordinates IPR strategy through an intra-agency PTI IPR Working Group. This Working Group, which includes representatives from the Office of International Trade (OT), the Office of Field Operations (OFO), the Office of Chief Counsel, the Office of International Affairs and Trade Relations (INATR), the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meets on a regular basis to address IPR policy and enforcement issues and to focus the resources of offices throughout CBP.

Domestic Partners in IPR Enforcement
CBP’s enforcement is accomplished through the cooperative efforts of our trained enforcement officers, other government agencies, and the trade community. We coordinate our enforcement efforts with U.S. government trade policy and law enforcement agencies. In addition, CBP works closely with ICE to carry out criminal IPR enforcement actions. As the primary border enforcement agency, CBP is a key player in The Administration’s inter-agency Strategy for Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!).

CBP also works closely with the trade community on IPR enforcement. CBP conducts industry outreach by partnering with rights owners and industry organizations to collaborate on IPR education, and to share information on trends, and where appropriate, on individual cases of suspected IPR infringement. CBP has an on-line recordation system, Intellectual Property Rights e-Recordation, which allows rights owners to electronically record their trademarks and copyrights with CBP, and facilitates IPR seizures by making IPR recordation information readily available to CBP personnel.

International Partners in IPR Enforcement
CBP collaborates with international organizations and foreign governments to enhance IPR border enforcement efforts globally. CBP actively participates in the IPR working groups of several international organizations including the World Customs Organization, the G8, and APEC. CBP also has significant ongoing bilateral efforts. CBP has a memorandum of cooperation with the People’s Republic of China to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights laws through exchange of information on seizures and trends, and effective enforcement programs. CBP also is implementing a five point IPR action plan with the European Union, and is partnering with Canada and Mexico through the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) on a strategy to reduce counterfeiting in North America.