How counterfeits undermine sustainable development

Editor’s Note: World Intellectual Property Day is April 26, a day to celebrate the contributions of innovators and makers worldwide. It is also a time to recognize the harmful impact of counterfeit goods on sustainable development and recognize how companies and law enforcement are working together to fight back.

Picture this: a counterfeit for almost every man, woman and child in the state of Florida. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized a staggering 23 million counterfeit goods, a figure that speaks volumes.

Intellectual property rights are a priority trade issue for CBP because its implications extend beyond economic impacts to impact American consumers, global communities and the health of our planet.

While a cheap fake handbag may seem harmless, counterfeits endanger our health, line the pockets of criminals and harm the honest businesses that keep our economy strong. When counterfeit goods become part of the global supply chain, they undermine innovation, a key component of economic growth and jobs.

On this World Intellectual Property Day, it is crucial to recognize the harmful impact of counterfeits on sustainable development, which affects our entire planet and the people who live on it.

Counterfeits harm sustainability efforts

Counterfeit goods, especially in the enormous quantities we see, pose a serious threat to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, affecting not only the US, but people around the world. These counterfeits undermine efforts to promote health, well-being, equitable economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

Many counterfeit items are made from cheap materials and are not built to last. These goods will likely sooner or later end up in landfills and contribute to the pollution of our oceans and waterways. This contributes to the degradation of the environment and ecosystems on which the health of the planet depends.

Among the top product categories seized by CBP for intellectual property rights violations in FY 2023 were pharmaceuticals, personal care items, sunglasses and eyewear, and consumer electronics. These items not only represent millions of dollars lost to legitimate businesses, but also represent threats to the health and safety of consumers and waste that pollutes our planet and harms communities worldwide.

How you can help stop counterfeits

The good news is that we can do things, and we can all play a role in the solution. While CBP will remain relentless in our enforcement efforts, industry and consumer awareness and commitment will play a key role.

CBP encourages industry to record registered trademarks and copyrights through CBP’s IPR e-Recordation program, which gives CBP additional authority to enforce intellectual property rights on imported goods and facilitates communication between CBP and rights holders. In FY 2023, CBP enforced nearly 20,000 active, registered copyrights and trademarks through the program.

CBP also partners with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce through a mutual memorandum of understanding, which improves our information sharing and strengthens the fight against counterfeit and pirated goods. This partnership, which recently extended the Memorandum for another five years, allows CBP to share valuable insights and best practices, ensuring we remain at the forefront of intellectual property rights enforcement.

We urge consumers to educate themselves about the dangers of counterfeit goods and how to spot them by visiting CBP’s Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign and the U.S. Chamber’s Shop Smart campaign.

While counterfeits cause harm on multiple levels and pose a significant challenge, we can make a difference if we work together and continue to educate consumers and rights holders.

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