News
HSI, local partners seize $5 million in counterfeit goods from Puerto Rican retailer
Special agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized approximately $5 million in counterfeit merchandise during a four-day operation dubbed Forged Dreams, Valentine's Blitz.
Florida man pleads guilty to trafficking counterfeit goods in South Dakota
Nir Giist pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Corporations charged for allegedly importing hazardous and counterfeit toys from China for sale in the US
A HSI special agent observes merchandise seized during a joint operation against five individuals and five corporations charged with importing hazardous and counterfeit toys from China for sale in the United States. Click the title to learn more.
Corporations charged for allegedly importing hazardous and counterfeit toys from China for sale in the US
Five individuals and five corporations have been charged in an indictment unsealed today for allegedly importing hazardous and counterfeit toys from China for sale in the United States.
'Operation Red Zone' nets more than $13.6 million in fake NFL merchandise
An ICE public affairs officer looks out at the Super Dome in New Orleans where ICE announced the record-breaking results of a nationwide enforcement operation. The initiative, dubbed 'Operation Red Zone,' commenced Sept. 1, 2012, and targeted international shipments of counterfeit merchandise as it entered the United States.
Pennsylvania woman indicted for trafficking in counterfeit goods
A Pennsylvania woman was indicted Wednesday for trafficking in counterfeit goods. If convicted, she faces up to two years in federal prison. This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
ICE, CBP, USPIS seize more than $13.6 million in fake NFL merchandise during 'Operation Red Zone'
Fake jerseys, ball caps, T-shirts, jackets and other souvenirs are among the counterfeit merchandise and clothing confiscated by teams of special agents and officers from ICE's Homeland Security Investigations.
Statement by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk regarding the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
Ambassador Kirk issued the following statement regarding today’s signing ceremony for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA):“We are pleased that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is the product of close cooperation between the United States and Japan.“Since the beginning of this negotiation, our two countries have worked together to develop the concept, bring other key countries into the process, and conclude a high-standard agreement among all the parties that will protect our creators and innovators.
Joint Press Statement of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement Negotiating Parties
Tokyo, Japan – Today representatives from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement at a Tokyo signing ceremony hosted by the Government of Japan.
United States Seeks Detailed Information on China’s Internet Restrictions
Washington, D.C. − U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that, under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the United States is seeking detailed information on the trade impact of Chinese policies that may block U.S. companies’ websites in China, creating commercial barriers that especially hurt America’s small business.
USTR Announces Results of Special 301 Review of Notorious Markets
Washington, D.C. – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today issued the Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets. It identifies more than 30 markets that typify the problem of marketplaces that deal in goods and services that infringe on intellectual property rights (IPR) and help to sustain global piracy and counterfeiting.
USTR Releases Annual Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Rights
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual “Special 301” Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR). The Report can be found on the USTR website by clicking here.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Kicks Off USTR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
05/15/2012Washington, D.C. – As part of World Trade Month, at an event to highlight the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement taking effect today, Ambassador Ron Kirk announced the beginning of USTR’s 50th anniversary celebration. He said:“World Trade Month is particularly special for me and my team, because this year we mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of USTR.
United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk Announces Removal of Israel from Intellectual Property Rights Priority Watch List
09/24/2012Washington, D.C. – United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that Israel is being removed from the Special 301 Priority Watch List. Special 301 is a provision of U.S. trade law under which the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) identifies countries that deny adequate and effective protection for intellectual property rights (IPR) with the objective of improving protection of IPR.
USTR Announces Results of Special 301 Review of Notorious Markets
12/13/2012Identifies Marketplaces that Facilitate Global Piracy and Counterfeiting
United States and Russian Federation Agree on Action Plan to Improve Intellectual Property Rights Protection
12/21/2012Washington, D.C. – United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk today announced agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation (Russia) on an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Action Plan to improve IPR protection and enforcement. The IPR Action Plan addresses priority areas including combating IPR infringement over the Internet and strengthening IPR enforcement.
Puerto Rican man sentenced to 2 years in prison for distributing counterfeit, Chinese-made pharmaceuticals across US
Francis Ortiz Gonzalez was sentenced Monday to two years in federal prison for being a key member of an organization that distributed large quantities of Chinese-made, counterfeit pharmaceuticals across the United States.
2 NJ men arrested for distribution of counterfeit Viagra
Two New Jersey men were arrested Wednesday in North Bergen, N.J., for distributing 9,600 pills of counterfeit Viagra. The counterfeit Viagra had a suggested retail price of $130,000.
HSI Little Rock seizes $100,000 of counterfeit goods
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized more than $100,000 of counterfeit cosmetics, designer handbags and electronics after executing a search warrant at a Conway home Jan. 16.