CBP Issues IPR Product Identification Training Guide for U.S. & EU
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted guidelines and a sample of product identification training guides companies can use to help CBP personnel and customs administrations in the European Union identify counterfeit and piratical goods to prevent them from entering the U.S. or the EU. The product identification training guides help customs personnel, such as officers and import specialists who inspect shipments and look for intellectual property rights (IPR) infringements.
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CBP notes that an effective guide should be brief and should contain information about the company, including the IP owned by the company and contact information for company contacts that can provide immediate assistance on administrative and technical matters to customs personnel regarding suspect merchandise. The guide should also contain information about the product, including physical characteristics of genuine articles, labeled photos of genuine and suspect articles, customs value, tariff heading, etc.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11041114 for summary of ways IP owners can work with CBP to enforce their IPR, including by producing product identification training guides for customs.)