Automotive Anti-Counterfeit Resources
In 1997, the Federal Trade Commission estimated automotive parts counterfeiting costs the automotive industry $12 billion a year globally, including $3 billion per year in the United States. Industry estimates the costs have only grown over the years. In addition to lost sales of legitimate parts, counterfeit auto parts often do not meet quality and performance standards, pose a safety risk to consumers, and can damage the reputation of reputable suppliers and their brands. Maintenance and high-volume aftermarket items are the types of automotive products most often counterfeited.
Anti-Counterfeiting & IPR Resources
The list below includes a number of websites intended to help combat counterfeit automotive parts:
The U.S. Government’s Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) Initiative is a one-stop- shop to
help businesses protect their intellectual property at home and abroad. STOP’s
web-page includes IPR toolkits for the following countries: China, Brazil, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico,
Peru, Russia, and Taiwan. Web-site: www.stopfakes.gov; Telephone: 1-866-999- HALT
Frequently asked questions regarding how to protect intellectual property:
https://www.stopfakes.gov
International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition: http://www.iacc.org
World Intellectual Property Organization: http://www.wipo.int/