U.S. Chamber and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Partner to Educate Businesses On Threats of Counterfeiting and Piracy

Raleigh, NC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) kicked off an educational tour in Raleigh, North Carolina, today designed to raise awareness of the rising cost and dangers of counterfeiting and piracy and give businesses the resources they need to protect themselves. The multi-city tour will include stops in Detroit, MI on June 18, San Antonio, TX, on July 18, Seattle, WA, on August 10, and Portland, OR, and Burlington, VT, later this year.

"Counterfeiting and piracy have real implications for local economies and consumers. They are threatening jobs, stealing tax revenue, and putting families at risk," said Caroline Joiner, executive director of the Chamber's Global Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Initiative. "We are working with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to give businesses and consumers the resources they need to protect themselves and encouraging them to joint the fight against counterfeiting and piracy."

Raleigh business leaders and government and law enforcement officials also joined in the event which included presentations from the office of North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall—who has been an aggressive leader on this issue—and representatives from NASCAR, Underwriters Laboratories, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice, Abercrombie & Fitch, and the Brand Protection Alliance.

Counterfeiting and piracy cost the U.S. economy more than $250 billion a year and result in the loss of 750,000 jobs. It reaches into every American community, endangering the public and costing cities such as Raleigh much-needed tax revenue for vital community projects. Counterfeit and pirated products run the gamut from fake prescription drugs to defective medical devices, from faulty electrical appliances, batteries, and machine tools to pirated software and consumer products, such as apparel and personal hygiene products.

The Chamber has implemented a global, multi-million dollar initiative to thwart the growing threat of counterfeiting and piracy, to protect public health and safety, defend the rights of businesses, and establish fair competition in the global marketplace.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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