WASHINGTON (March 22, 2005) — The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security has approved by voice vote a bill that would strengthen the legal penalties against counterfeiters of tires, auto parts and other goods.
The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act would require convicted counterfeiters to destroy the equipment and materials they use to make counterfeit products, and would clarify current law to establish that it is illegal to sell counterfeit trademarks on labels, patches or medallions.
Several automotive aftermarket associations strongly endorse the legislation, and had its sponsor, Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich., as a key speaker at the Aftermarket Legislative Summit held March 1-2 in Washington.
There are no hearings on the bill currently scheduled before the full Judiciary Committee or the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, which usually oversees all legislation on intellectual property theft, according to the committee Web site.