Recordation of Intellectual Property with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services
In its efforts to prevent the importation of goods that infringe registered intellectual property in the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains a recordation system for patents and trademarks registered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and copyrights registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. The database includes information regarding the intellectual property, including images of the marks and products. CBP officers who actively monitor imports can view the recordation database at each of the ports of entry where these officers work.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services is authorized to detain and seize counterfeit products containing infringing trademarks and also enforce court-orders against patent infringing products. In order to maximize your intellectual property rights protection, you can record your intellectual property with the CBP.
Below are some interesting facts according to the CBP IPR Seizure Statistics for FY 2010:
For the fifth year in a row, footwear is the top commodity seized, accounting for 24% of the entire domestic value of IPR infringing goods
The quantity of computer hardware seized increased fivefold from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2010
Cigarettes were the top product seized in the counterfeit products presenting potential safety or security risks
China continues to be the number one source country for counterfeit and pirated goods seized, accounting for 66% of the total seizure value
More information on CBP's intellectual property rights enforcement can be found at their website at www.cbp.gov/ipr. If you are interested in recording your intellectual property with the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Services, we would be happy to assist you in doing so.
