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The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va. has called on Congress to appropriate funds to implement programs authorized to combat counterfeiting that were contained in the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act (Public Law 110-403), also known as PRO-IP, which was approved last year. NEMA actively supported this legislation and provided input to Congress.
According to NEMA Board Chairman Stuart Thorn, these provisions are vital to domestic electrical manufacturers. “The domestic extension cord industry, for example, has disappeared because of unfair competition from substandard, counterfeit electrical cords that falsely contain certification marks,” he said.
Counterfeiting of electrical products has been on the rise according to reports by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that rank electrical products fifth in counterfeit imports. As Congress addresses funding for programs with the start of the 2010 fiscal year on October 1, 2009, Thorn, president and CEO of Southwire Co., Carrollton, Ga., said the programs needing funding include: $15 million for 10 agents of the FBI designated to support IP investigation and forensic work; $25 million in the Department of Justice to make grants to eligible states or local law enforcement agencies for training, prevention and prosecution of cases; and $1 million in the Executive Office of the President for a new national coordinator and four staff positions.