Protecting Footwear IP Globally
FDRA proactively surveys the global footwear counterfeit landscape and advises the U.S. Government on key countries and issues of concern.
12% of all counterfeit goods seized are footwear. The most common counterfeit brands are Nike, Adidas, Louboutin, and UGG.
FDRA Voices Concerns Over Global IP Protection Challenges to US Government
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) releases an annual global intellectual property report, known as the Special 301 Review. This key report breaks down the state of IP protection by country and serves as an important tool for U.S. engagement with our trading partners on specific IP issues.
FDRA testifies each year on behalf of the footwear industry to provide input to USTR on global footwear IP challenges. During the 2020 Special 301 hearing, FDRA highlighted shortfalls in foreign markets, the surge of counterfeit footwear sold on e-commerce platforms, and the need to grant CBP authority to seize goods based on design patent infringement. FDRA also discussed the IP provisions of the recent U.S-China trade agreement.
"Counterfeit footwear threatens jobs in our industry and puts U.S. consumers at risk, and bad actors are using popular e-commerce sites to target unsuspecting consumers."
— Matt Priest, FDRA President & CEO
Key IP Insights from Industry Leaders
Latest IP News
Shoe-In Show Episodes
FDRA’s Efforts to Stop Fakes in Focus
Matt, Andy and Thomas discuss the latest initiatives under development in DC to combat the prevalence of counterfeit products on e-commerce platforms. There is a lot of momentum in this area so you don’t want to miss this conversation! Listen Now
Global Design Innovation and How to Protect It with NIKE
Matt catches up with NIKE’s Chief IP Officer, Margo Fowler, and Mark Smith, NIKE’s VP of Innovation and Special Projects, to discuss the importance of protecting IP and strategies brands can adopt to successfully defend their trademarks, designs, patents, and IP. Listen Now
Knock it off! Insights and tips to protect your brand from shoe counterfeit to eComm scammers!
Our good friend Bill Snowden flips the script and interviews us! We talk about the challenges of knockoffs to scammers and hackers in an eComm world and get some great insights into new tech tools Verisk is using to help their clients and can help you too! Listen Now
Giving CBP Tools to Close the Current Enforcement Loophole: Hot Policy Item
The footwear industry relies on American and global customs agencies’ ability to stop and seize the movement of counterfeit shoes. Important loopholes need to be closed that enhance the tools available to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) here in the United States.
World Intellectual Property Day 2019
April 30, 2019
The Role of Intellectual Property in Sports and Public Safety. Watch Here
Design Patent Infringement Bill (S.2987—Counterfeit Goods Seizure Act of 2019 Tillis/Coons): gives Customs authority to seize goods based on design patent infringement—purpose is to prevent counterfeiters from shipping labels and tags separately and attaching them in the U.S. to avoid CBP seizure.
Stopping Counterfeits Sold Online: US Government Action
Online e-commerce marketplaces have helped the sale of knockoff products to explode, eroding American jobs and putting consumers at risk. Key US Government initiatives are looking to slow the movement of these goods in new and innovative ways.
FDRA President & CEO Matt Priest Statement on the SHOP SAFE Bill
March 20, 2020
"Counterfeit footwear threatens jobs in our industry and puts U.S. consumers at risk, and bad actors are using popular e-commerce sites to target unsuspecting consumers. With today's sophisticated counterfeiting operations, it can be nearly impossible for consumers to determine a legitimate good from a counterfeit product. The SHOP SAFE Act will address this issue by requiring e-commerce platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent counterfeits from being sold on their sites. We applaud these leaders in working together to protect American individuals and families, and we look forward to working with Congress and the Administration on this critical issue."
US Government Actions
Stopping the prevalence of counterfeit and knockoff footwear is a priority for FDRA and our members. Ensuring Congress prioritizes efforts to strengthen IP protections, increase accountability for bad actors, and close CBP enforcement gaps and loopholes is vitally important for the health of our industry.
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FDRA brings clarity and insights that enhance decision making, efficiency, and productivity for footwear professionals. We develop essential products and find innovative solutions to boost the bottom line for our members across the industry — from footwear design to retail. We fight to support footwear jobs and shoe consumers in Washington, DC and around the globe — FDRA is the only footwear association working to eliminate ALL footwear duties.
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