The issue of counterfeit parts being sold in the United States can pose a risk to highway safety, according to a representative of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, who spoke today at a briefing on anti-counterfeiting measures hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC.
Andy Cifranic, brand manager for Bendix, represented the transportation industry on a panel of government officials, US Chamber of Commerce members, and other business leaders affected by counterfeiting. The panel spoke as part of the launch of the US Chamber of Commerce's “No Trade in Fakes Supply Chain Tool Kit.” Bendix is one of seven companies that contributed a case study to the tool kit.
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent years, counterfeiting, piracy, and other property rights violations have grown in magnitude and complexity, costing US businesses billions of dollars.
A report from ICE indicated federal agencies made more than 14,000 seizures of counterfeit goods valued at more than $155 million in 2006 — a 67 percent increase from the previous year. ICE made 219 arrests, and secured 134 indictments and 170 convictions in intellectual property rights violations.