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Skriven 2006-03-16 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0603166) for Thu, 2006 Mar 16
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Fact Sheet: President Bush Signs the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured
Goods Act
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 16, 2006

Fact Sheet: President Bush Signs the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured
Goods Act



Today, President Bush Signed The Stop Counterfeiting In Manufactured Goods
Act. This legislation helps protect the rights of America's consumers,
workers, and entrepreneurs by strengthening our laws against counterfeit
labels and packaging; by strengthening penalties for counterfeiters; and by
giving prosecutors new tools to stop those who defraud American consumers.
In the 21st century, the great opportunities of our free enterprise system
are threatened by those who try to take shortcuts to success by copying
existing products to deceive consumers and unfairly profit from someone
else's work. The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act protects the
work of American innovators, strengthens the rule of law, and helps keep
American families safe.

Counterfeiting Hurts Businesses, Workers, Consumers, Government, And Our
National Security. In recent years, the problem of counterfeiting has grown
rapidly. Counterfeiting costs America hundreds of billions of dollars a
year and has harmful effects throughout the economy. Fake products can
expose consumers to serious health and safety risks. Government loses out
on tax revenues and is forced to divert law enforcement from other
purposes. Terrorist networks use counterfeit sales to finance their
operations.

The Stop Counterfeiting In Manufactured Goods Act:
  þ Strengthens Our Laws Against Trading Counterfeit Labels And Packaging.
    While it was already illegal to manufacture, ship, or sell counterfeit
    products, this legislation closes a loophole allowing the shipment of
    falsified labels or packaging, which counterfeiters could then attach
    to fake products in order to cheat consumers by passing off poorly made
    items as brand-name goods. By closing the loophole, we will help keep
    honest Americans from losing business to scam artists - and protect
    consumers from being cheated out of their hard-earned dollars.
  þ Strengthens Penalties For Counterfeiters And Gives Prosecutors New
    Tools. This bill requires courts to order the destruction of all
    counterfeit products seized as part of a criminal investigation and
    requires convicted counterfeiters to turn over their profits and any
    equipment used in their operations. This bill requires those convicted
    of counterfeiting to reimburse the legitimate businesses they
    exploited.

The Administration Is Leading A Bold Initiative Called STOP - Strategy
Targeting Organized Piracy. Nine Federal agencies are coming together -
including the Department of Justice, which has launched the most aggressive
effort in American history to prevent intellectual property violations.
Computer hacking and intellectual property units in U.S. Attorneys' offices
nationwide have been expanded, and specially trained prosecutors and FBI
agents are being posted at American embassies in Asia and Eastern Europe.
We are working with other nations and the World Trade Organization to
promote strong intellectual property laws, and we are cooperating with the
private sector to raise awareness of counterfeiting.
  þ The Administration's Efforts Are Producing Results. Last year, we
    dismantled a piracy ring in Massachusetts that planned to sell over
    30,000 counterfeit handbags, shoes, necklaces, and other items. Along
    with partners overseas, we broke up a prescription drug counterfeiting
    network and seized over $4 million in phony medicine. With the help of
    16 countries on five continents, we removed more than $100 million
    worth of illegal online software, games, movies, and music.

America's Economy Is Strong And Getting Stronger. Last year, the economy
grew at a healthy 3.5 percent rate - faster than any other major
industrialized country. Over the past two-and-a-half years, we have added
nearly 5 million new jobs - more than Japan and the European Union
combined. The unemployment rate is down to 4.8 percent - lower than the
average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. More Americans now own their homes
than at any time in our Nation's history, and minority home ownership has
reached record highs. Productivity has grown strongly over the last five
years, and small businesses are thriving. Inflation is contained, household
net worth is at an all-time high, and real after-tax income is up more than
8 percent since the beginning of 2001. America is productive, innovative,
and entrepreneurial - and the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act
will help keep it that way.

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