November 20, 2008
Washington - Customs and Border Protection working to protect businesses and consumers from counterfeit and pirated goods, targeted and seized more than 420,000 imports of counterfeit integrated circuits and computer network components bearing 50 different counterfeit trademarks in a CBP enforcement operation in May and June.
Integrated circuits or ICs and computer network components are used in a wide range of applications, many of which have health and safety or national security implications. They are used in communication and weapons systems, automobiles, aircrafts, computers, medical devices and consumer electronics.
"Like other counterfeit products, counterfeit network hardware and ICs are not built up to the standards of genuine equipment," said Assistant Commissioner Daniel Baldwin, CBP office of international trade. "These products have a higher failure rate than genuine equipment, and often fail upon installation, or weeks or months after installation. One threat that these fake products pose is that when they fail, the entire system in which they are embedded in can also fail, crippling vital infrastructure and products on which we depend."
This initiative continues CBP's ongoing effort to protect the nation from counterfeit network hardware and ICs. Previous efforts announced earlier this year include:
- An ongoing Departments of Justice and Homeland Security international initiative which resulted in more than 400 seizures of counterfeit Cisco network hardware and labels with an estimated retail value of more than $76 million. ( Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Announce International Initiative Against Traffickers in Counterfeit Network Hardware )
- The first joint intellectual property rights enforcement operation undertaken by CBP and the European Union, dubbed Operation Infrastructure, which resulted in the seizure of more than 360,000 counterfeit integrated circuits and computer network components bearing more than 40 different trademarks. ( CBP, European Union Announce Results of Joint Operation to Combat Pirated Goods )
In fiscal year 2008, CBP seized counterfeit network hardware, ICs, computers and other critical computer components with a domestic value of over $4.7 million.
CBP's strategic approach to intellectual property rights 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.
Stopping the flow of fake goods is a priority for the U.S. government, and CBP has designated intellectual property rights enforcement as a Priority Trade Issue. PTIs form the core of the risk management approach outlined on the CBP Trade Strategy page. ( CBP Trade Strategy ) PTIs drive the investment of CBP resources and enforcement and facilitation efforts, including the selection of audit candidates, special enforcement operations, policy issuance, outreach and legislative and regulatory initiatives.
For more information on IPR issues, visit the Intellectual Property Rights page on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site. ( Intellectual Property Rights )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
