Recent statistics emphasize the need for increased enforcement.  IP seizures in the U.S. increased by over 34% from 2009 to 2010, with 19,959 seizures recorded at a domestic value of $188.1 million. As such, it has been a CACP priority to enact legislation that will improve the ability of agencies to prevent counterfeit and other infringing goods from entering the United States. In the 111th Congress CACP endorsed the Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009 (S.

Recent statistics emphasize the need for increased enforcement. IP seizures in the U.S. increased by over 34% from 2009 to 2010, with 19,959 seizures recorded at a domestic value of $188.1 million. As such, it has been a GIPC priority to enact legislation that will improve the ability of agencies to prevent counterfeit and other infringing goods from entering the United States.  In the 111th Congress GIPC endorsed the Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009 (S.

"We must move from a perspective where counterfeiting is a four-syllable word to one where it is a four-letter word," says NBCU Executive VP and General Counsel Rick Cotton, "from where counterfeiting is regarded as morally ambiguous to where it is recognized as a reprehensible job killer in a U.S. economy that is starved for high-wage employment."

Cotton was testifying Tuesday as chairman of the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy before a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on S 1631, the Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act.

The coalition strongly supports the bill, which would boost the trade-protection roles of the CBP (Bureau of Customs and Border Protection) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Legislation to bolster intellectual property enforcement resources and tools for the Homeland Security Department through its Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies could move through the Senate Finance Committee before Thanksgiving, aides said Monday.

The measure, which Finance Chairman Max Baucus and ranking member Charles Grassley introduced in August, will be the focus of a hearing today.

After extensive negotiations with industry stakeholders, the bill has the backing of groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 650-member Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy. Coalition Chairman Rick Cotton, who serves as general counsel for NBC-Universal, will testify in support of the IP provisions, which are part of a broader CBP reauthorization effort. The bill would establish an IP coordination center within ICE to prevent importation or exportation of pirated and counterfeit goods.