(this wave is so big, you can hear the wind whistling on the tape)

The importation of counterfeit goods into Southern California is a problem for many of my lawyer-clients' clients. 

The old saw that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is particularly appropriate where neither lawsuits nor negotiated agreements are effective deterrents.  I am therefore bringing you prevention suggestions from the law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, Recordation of Copyright and Trademark Registrations with Customs -- Combatting Counterfeit Goods, a brief excerpt of which we copy below.     

Counterfeit goods rob United States businesses of billions of dollars in revenue each year. They also damage brand reputation, which is difficult to quantify. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has authority to stop or seize counterfeit goods entering the United States; in fact, in 2005 alone, Customs performed over 8,000 seizures of counterfeit goods valued at more than $93 million.1 Trademark and copyright owners may record their U.S. trademark and copyright registrations with Customs to help Customs identify goods it has authority to seize.

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