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U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that the number of seizures of infringing goods at the U.S. border increased 34% in 2010, though the overall value of goods seized dropped. “The average value for an IPR seizure dropped to $9,425 in FY 2010 from $17,566 in FY 2009.  There was a 41% increase in the number of low value (under $1000) IPR seizures in FY 2010 over FY 2009.  A shift in seizure at mail facilities and in the express shipping environment is a main driver for these changes. Continued growth of websites that sell counterfeit and piratical merchandise facilitate direct to consumer shipment of infringing goods.  Training by rights holders and coordination have helped CBP and ICE to step up enforcement efforts in this area.”

The top types of goods seized were “footwear” (24%), “consumer electronics” (18%), “wearing apparel” (10%), and “handbags, wallets, backpacks” (8%).

For more, see the

• Full report from CBP and ICE: “Intellectual Property Rights: Fiscal year 2010 Seizure Statistics – Final Report.”
  
• Press Release: “CBP, ICE Release Report on 2010 Counterfeit Seizures.”
  
• Rossella Brevetti for BNA Patent, Trademark and Coyright Law Daily. CBP and ICE Issue Report Showing 34 Percent Increase in IPR Seizures. March 22, 2011.