WASHINGTON – In an effort to support the vital role trademarks play in the U.S. economy, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Senator Chris Coons, Congressman John Ratcliffe and Congressman Ted Deutch have relaunched the Congressional Trademark Caucus.
“Purchasing fake and potentially unsafe products can be dangerous to consumers and harmful to entrepreneurs. The Congressional Trademark Caucus can help educate members of Congress, as well our constituents, about the valuable role trademarks play in the global marketplace. The Caucus will focus on a number of initiatives that will increase awareness and foster a productive public dialogue about the importance of trademarks and the risks associated with counterfeit goods,” Grassley said.
“Not only are trademarks critical for companies’ ability to grow and create jobs, but they also play an important role in communicating the authenticity and integrity of products and services to customers. Counterfeit products with fake trademarks can be unsafe versions of the real thing whose sales may fund criminal networks. The Congressional Trademark Caucus will work hard in both the House and the Senate to bring attention to the need to protect trademarks and guard against the harms caused by intellectual property theft,” Coons said.
“I look forward to working with my co-chairs on the Congressional Trademark Caucus to shed light on the important role trademarks play in protecting the health and safety of American families. As a former U.S. Attorney and terrorism prosecutor, I’m also interested in raising awareness in Congress about links between counterfeits and organized crime and terrorist organizations,” Ratcliffe said.
“Trademarks are the lifeblood of businesses, and I am glad to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus to educate and protect them. Counterfeit products can be dangerous to consumers and destructive to small and growing businesses trying to expand globally,” said Deutch.
The caucus will work to support congressional committees with jurisdiction over trademarks and Intellectual property, with special attention to consumer issues. The mission of the caucus is to help increase awareness among Congress, the media and the public about trademarks’ importance to global commerce, foster public policy dialogues among state and federal governments and brand owners on how best to reduce counterfeit goods in the marketplace and highlight trademark protection in discussions between the U.S. and other nations and world governing bodies.
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