Stop

Stop

PROTECT YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Stop Trade in Fakes!

1-866-999-HALT www. StopFakes .gov

STRATEGY TARGETING ORGANIZED PIRACY

STOP!
Intellectual property rights (IPR) encourage the innovation and creativity that is fundamental to sustained economic growth. Unfortunately, the growing global trade in pirated and counterfeit goods threatens innovation, workers’ livelihoods, health, and safety. Fake products—such as CDs, DVDs, software, electronic equipment, clothing, pharmaceutical products, and auto parts—account for an estimated 5 to 7 percent of global trade. This trade costs legitimate rights holders around the world billions of dollars annually. The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) is a comprehensive program to stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods. Through STOP!, the U.S. government is working to make it easier for rights holders to obtain and enforce their intellectual property rights at home and abroad. The U.S. government has also leveraged its law enforcement resources and is establishing international cooperation to dismantle the criminal networks that manufacture and distribute fake goods. STOP! underscores the U.S. government’s continuing commitment to level the playing field for American businesses and workers. Owners of intellectual property also need to act to obtain intellectual property rights, thereby securing the economic benefits of their intellectual property and laying the foundation for curbing the trade in fake goods. This guide is part of that effort. You can get further assistance by calling a hotline at: 1-866-999-HALT. The hotline allows U.S. businesses to speak with intellectual property rights specialists and get practical information about how to protect intellectual property. The U.S. government Web site, www.StopFakes.gov, provides information about obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights. Businesses may also contact the offices described in this publication directly.

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