U.S. intellectual property seizures in 2015 up 25%

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, reported that seizures of imports containing intellectual property infringements rose 25 percent year-over-year in fiscal year 2015.    U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, reported that seizures of imports containing intellectual property infringements were up 25 percent in fiscal year 2015, compared to the fiscal year prior.
   Specifically, the agencies made 28,865 seizures of IPR-violating shipments last fiscal year, up from 23,140 in fiscal year 2014.
   “Had these products been genuine, the estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the seized goods would have been over $1.35 billion. This is a 10 percent increase in the value of seized goods from the previous fiscal year, which were estimated at $1.23 billion MSRP,” the agencies said in a joint press release on Friday.
   The top two products most seized for IPR infractions last fiscal year included apparel and accessories, such as handbags and wallets, and watches and jewelry, respectively.
   Through the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), an interagency operation, 538 arrests, with 339 indictments, and 357 convictions were made in fiscal year 2015.
   In fiscal year 2015, China maintained its position as the top source for counterfeit and pirated goods seized by federal authorities, with a value $697 million or 52 percent of the total value of imports seized.
   The 19-page report, Intellectual Property Rights Seizure Statistics Fiscal Year 2015, may be viewed here.