WASHINGTON (May 25, 2004) — Auto parts suppliers are praising a bill sponsored by Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich., designed to close loopholes in current laws that combat counterfeiting of manufactured products.
The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act requires the destruction of equipment used to make and label counterfeit products, and also for the first time bans counterfeiters' use of “famous” trademarks that the original companies have not registered.
Counterfeit auto parts not only rob legitimate companies of profits and jobs, but also flood the market with substandard goods, according to Scott Meyer, chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. “This creates a serious risk to public safety and hurts the reputation of legitimate suppliers,” Mr. Meyer said in a press release. “Congressman Knollenberg has stepped forward to address these problems in a very effective way.”
The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.