The AAFA’s call for action follows the ‘2024 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy’ report released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
The 2024 Notorious Markets List shares 38 digital platforms and 33 physical venues that are alleged to be implicated in trademark infringement or copyright violations.
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The AAFA said it was proud to announce that two of the platforms it nominated for inclusion in October 2024 were included on the list and it said this highlights the ongoing challenges the apparel industry faces in the global fight against counterfeit goods.
AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar said: “Numerous AAFA-recommendations were taken, and we appreciate the ongoing partnership of the USTR and ambassador Tai as part of our efforts to eradicate illicit goods and to protect American consumers, American brands, and workers around the world. However, we are very concerned with the omission of US-based platforms from the list. Given the significant role that some domestic platforms play in facilitating the sale of counterfeit goods, we believe it is crucial to ensure that the report reflects all markets, regardless of their geographic location, that contribute to the proliferation of these illegal products.
He continued: “Looking ahead, AAFA is eager to see the Trump administration take bold action to combat illicit trade, protect IP, and eradicate counterfeits within the first 100 days of office. We strongly urge the establishment of an Interagency Working Group to fight against illicit trade, which would convene regularly with key stakeholders, ideally on a quarterly basis. This group would work collaboratively across government agencies, Congress, industry leaders, and stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions to address the growing challenges of counterfeit trafficking and IP infringement.”
