Senate Cites Fasteners In Fake Goods Bill

Jason Sandefur

Looking to battle a multi-billion dollar counterfeiting effort that ranges from industrial fasteners to designer purses, the U.S. Senate passed the
Protecting American Goods and Services Act of 2005. The two-page bipartisan bill, sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy and John Cornyn, tightens loopholes in existing laws on illegal goods.
According to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, counterfeit parts have been discovered in fasteners for equipment designed to prevent nuclear reactor meltdowns, as well as parts for helicopters sold to NATO.
In a written statement, Leahy said the bill amends the definition of “trafficking” in the counterfeit law to criminalize the possession of counterfeit goods with the intent to sell or traffic in those goods, as well as to include any distribution of counterfeits. The bill would also criminalize importing and exporting counterfeit goods and copyrighted works.
“”By tying off these loopholes and improving U.S. laws on counterfeiting, we will be sending a powerful message to the criminals who belong in jail,”” Leahy stated. �2005 FastenerNews.com