Washington DC –The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have announced a partnership on the anniversary of the first partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB). Fighting fakes.
Counterfeit sports goods generate millions of dollars in revenue for criminal organizations each year. Last year alone, CBP seized $94 million worth of fake sports memorabilia, apparel and equipment. CBP, the Chamber of Commerce, the NBA, and MLB recognize that these partnerships threaten the health and safety of consumers and expose law-abiding businesses to unfair economic competition from unsafe, substandard, and counterfeit products. We hope this helps protect consumers and their families.
The announcement comes just one year after CBP and the Chamber of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding to improve collaboration and information exchange and better protect the public and brand owners from criminal counterfeiting practices. .
“The Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce are proud to continue partnering with law enforcement to prioritize solutions to eliminate counterfeiting and piracy,” said executive vice of the Chamber of Commerce. President Tom Quaadman said. “We are thrilled to expand this partnership with the participation of the truly iconic National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Any small business should have confidence that they are getting what they pay for.”
“Intellectual property protection is a cornerstone of CBP’s trade mission, and the results of our partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to date have been very exciting,” said John Leonard, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Trade. I’m here. “We look forward to expanding this initiative with the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball, and encourage sports fans to purchase from a trusted source.”
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that the global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods generates more than $500 billion in illicit revenue each year. Last year, CBP seized over 26,500 shipments containing millions of counterfeit goods, including personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, COVID-19 test kits, electronics, apparel, footwear, jewelry and more.
The counterfeit and piracy trade threatens the U.S. innovation economy, the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, and the livelihoods of American workers, and contains ingredients and chemical additives that compromise consumer health and safety. There is also Proceeds from the sale of counterfeit goods fund criminal gangs engaged in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, financial crimes, and other illegal activities.
CBP’s initiative, Fake Goods, Real Dangers, is raising consumer awareness about the dangers of buying counterfeit and pirated goods, and the Chamber of Commerce and CBP are working together to educate consumers about the issue. has reached millions with joint awareness campaigns on television and radio. Under this initiative, major retailers and customs officials are exploring data sharing through a pilot program.
Consumers can report suspected counterfeit goods through the e-Allegations Online Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
Further information on enforcing intellectual property rights is available at CBP.gov and the Global Innovation Policy Center website.
