Ambassador Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative, announced the plan to move forward with the negotiation of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), after it was reviewed by the Obama administration, as part of an ongoing overall evaluation of the current and pending trade agreements.
 
Ambassador Kirk emphasized that the ACTA is an important part of the U.S. trade agenda. Kirk believes that the international community’s continued commitment to its development marks a significant blow to those that participating in global counterfeiting and piracy. In a press release, Kirk stated that “the ACTA negotiations provide an opportunity to toughen international standards for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, making it harder for counterfeit and pirated products to enter our country and making the world safer for the innovation and creativity that are so critical to the U.S. economy.”
 
In the recent past, the negotiations surrounding the agreement have received some criticism for their secrecy, an issue Ambassador Kirk noted would be addressed with a dedicated page on the USTR website as well as an “open door policy” and town hall meetings to engage and inform the public about the proceedings.
 
According to the press release, the next meeting of the ACTA negotiations is scheduled for July in Morocco. The hope is that an agreement will be reached by 2010.

Cutting edge haircare brand ghd has found that the high demand for its thermodynamic tress products and ceramic stylers has lead to imposters in the market. The North American office of ghd warns consumers that a number of fake irons bearing the ghd brand name have been circulating the market. Consumers began calling ghd's customer service line early last year complaining that their irons, purchased on eBay, were malfunctioning. Not long after, Quebec City officials discovered thousands of counterfeit items at a local vendor, many of which were hair irons falsely labeled as ghd stylers.

The company urges consumers to use caution when buying ghd products, making sure only to patronize authorized vendors. Unauthorized locations—both on-line and in-store—may sell counterfeit ghd product at a discounted rate; these irons are not only illegal, but could potentially be harmful as they have not gone through ghd's strict safety tests. Additionally, ghd does not offer any warranties on irons that have been purchased through unauthorized retailers and does not replace counterfeit or diverted irons.

Ghd is working with its attorneys to shut down counterfeit operations—and keep your tresses safe from damage. The company has also assembled an extensive checklist so customers are able to identify whether their iron is counterfeit or not. Also, ghd is implementing a Track and Trace system that will allow them to catch diverters—also known as vendors that funnel faulty products to unauthorized haircare retailers.

Consumers who believe that they may have purchased a counterfeit iron can call ghd's customer service line at 877-ghd-angel (877-443-2643). To purchase official ghd product, visit their official website, or go behind the brand and get hair tips and tricks on Sephora.com. 

Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Julie Myers, met with members of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition in New York City last week. Ms. Myers and Robert Barchiesi, president of the IACC, held a press conference to discuss how to strengthen government and industry ties to better combat counterfeit goods.

“Are we seeing places where more cooperation is needed?” Myers rhetorically asked Women’s Wear Daily. “Yes.”

Federal enforcement agencies and intellectual property owners have fortified their efforts to cut down on the counterfeit goods market, which costs the American retail industry over $30 Billion yearly.

Concerning its role in increasing consumer awareness about the consequences of purchasing counterfeits, Barchiesi said “In many cases, these are produced by forced labor or in sweatshops. We can get to the consumers and say, ‘Listen, the $5 you just spent, you don’t want to think about where it went.”

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Dublin city officials have shut down an illegal factory producing dangerous counterfeit Spar Imperial Vodka, distributed through street vendors.

Produced in unhygienic conditions, experts say the counterfeit vodka may smell like acetone or nail varnish, and could contain potentially harmful levels of methanol, which could lead to blindness.

No recall has been issued at this time. The Food Standards Agency of Ireland warns consumers that the only legitimate route of purchase is through licensed liquor stores.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of International Trade has developed a new online trade violation reporting system called e-Allegations where members of the public can confidentially report suspected counterfeits.

The new e-reporting system includes an anonymous online form via the CBP website, making it easy for consumers to notify authorities about possible trade violations.

Violations that may be reported online through e-Allegations include:
•    misclassification of merchandise
•    country of origin markings
•    health and safety violations
•    intellectual property rights violations
•    textile or other trade violations.

Any pictures or documentation you may have to substantiate your counterfeiting claim can also be submitted once you receive an e-Allegation number. Click here for more information.

If you would like to submit a confidential tip to the government, please visit the CBP’s website.

On August 5, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee investigating counterfeit crime in the United States said the counterfeit industry is costing the U.S. economy at least $200 billion and 750,000 jobs every year.

Leahy, along with committee member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), is drafting multiple U.S. Senate bills to protect American citizens and the economy from the onslaught of dangerous counterfeits.

The committee met with automotive and pharmaceutical industry experts and product safety researchers, who also expressed their concern for consumer safety.

“A variety of counterfeit products enter the stream of commerce every day, many posing unsuspected serious fire and electrical hazards that endanger the American public,” said Brian Monks, Vice President of Anticounterfeiting for Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to Baltimore residents who filled prescriptions at two local The Medicine Shoppe pharmacies.

If you have recently received the following prescriptions from The Medicine Shoppe pharmacies at 8035A Liberty Road and 5900 Reisterstown Road, the FDA strongly advises contacting your physician immediately for a new prescription.

The medications in question include:
•    Lisinopril (20 milligrams)
•    Guaifenesin/Dextromethorphan (600 mg and 1000 mg)
•    Gabapentin (100 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg)
•    Metoprolol (50 mg)
•    Nifedipine (30 mg)
•    Diclofenac Sodium (30 mg)
•    Glucophage (500 mg Extended Release)
•    Glucovance (125 mg and 500 mg)
•    Glipizide/Metformin (2.50 mg/250 mg)
•    Furosemide (20 mg)
•    Tamoxifen Citrate (10 mg)
•    Metformin HCl ER (500 mg)
•    Calcitrol (0.25 micrograms)

A statement issued by the FDA relays serious concern because a number of the pharmaceuticals “are for serious diseases and could have an adverse effect on treatment.”

Please call the FDA at 800-521-5783 for more information on how to dispose of these medications.

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Health Canada has seized counterfeit toothbrushes from the shelves of popular chain-store Dollarama after a complaint in July that bristles from the manual toothbrush became dislodged and stuck in one user’s throat.

Consumers with a manual Oral-B Medium toothbrush purchased at the Canadian Dollarama or requiring more information about this advisory should immediately contact Health Canada's public enquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 866-225-0709.

Always buy from authorized retailers. For authentic points of purchase, visit oralb.com.

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Hundreds of thousands of cellphone, PDA, MP3 and game console chargers have been recalled in the European Union after they were found to be counterfeit. Authorities are warning that the faulty wiring in these chargers can lead to electrocution. Poorly wired chargers also pose a risk of overheating and causing house fires.

Last year a counterfeit charger purchased in Thailand fatally wounded a 7-year-old British boy. Officials are urging consumers to protect themselves and only purchase electronics from reputable, authorized retailers.

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