Trademark Counterfeiting, Product Piracy, and the Billion Dollar Threat to the U.S. Economy

(Hardback)

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Called the business crime wave of the 21st century, trademark counterfeiting and product piracy are worldwide in scope and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars every year. High technology and the globalization of business have made it possible to counterfeit and pirate a seemingly limitless number of products, from t-shirts, designer jeans, films and books to auto and airplane parts, and prescription drugs. The 1995-1996 trade dispute between the U.S. and China shows how serious the problem has become for American business and for U.S. diplomatic relations. Paradise explores the history of counterfeiting and piracy, shows how they are done, and the strategies that U.S. businesses are using to combat them. With interviews, commentary, and anecdotes by corporate attorneys, business leaders, and private investigators, this well-written book is essential for anyone interested in the damage that violations of intellectual property law are inflicting on world trade and what is being done to stop it. Called the business crime wave of the 21st century, trademark counterfeiting and product piracy are worldwide in scope and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars every year. High technology and the globalization of business have made it possible to counterfeit and pirate a seemingly limitless number of products, from t-shirts, designer jeans, films and books to auto and airplane parts, and prescription drugs. The 1995-1996 trade dispute between the U.S. and China shows how serious the problem has become for American business and for U.S. diplomatic relations. Paradise explores the history of counterfeiting and piracy, shows how they are done, and the strategies that U.S. businesses are using to combat them. With interviews, commentary, and anecdotes by corporate attorneys, business leaders, and private investigators, this well-written book is essential for anyone interested in the damage that violations of intellectual property law are inflicting on world trade and what is being done to stop it. Paradise lays out the problem in Chapter 1 with a clear explanation of the differences between trademarks, copyrights, and patents, and the laws covering each. In Chapter 2 he looks at the role played by organized crime, gray market goods, the lack of intellectual property laws, and ultimately the threat to U.S. business. He discusses the recent investigations and disputes with China, and its aftermath throughout Southeast Asia. Chapter 4 focuses on the knockoff, chapter 5 on street peddlers and flea markets (and how merchants are retaliating), and chapter 6 on the tracking of counterfeiters. The entertainment industries and the pharmaceutical industries are then closely examined. He follows with equally comprehensive (and chilling) studies of automobile and aircraft parts counterfeiting and piracy in cyberspace. Paradise ends with a look at what is being done to counteract the inroads that piracy and counterfeiting have made into the global economy, and offers a provocative call for more and better efforts in the future.

Reviews

"Mr. Paradise has devoted many years of initiative to comprehensively researching and detailing the nature and worldwide impact of counterfeiting and piracy on many major industries. This work should be an important resource to anyone wishing to understand this field and protect intellectual property rights and properties from plunder by thieves."-William Nix, ESQ Former Vice-President of Business Affairs for NBA Properties
"Paul Paradise's book is essential reading for anyone who wants to grasp the scope of the global counterfeiting and piracy phenomenon and its impact on the U.S. economy. The book provides valuable insights into why intellectual property has become such an important commodity today, some of the key industries that suffer from counterfeiting and piracy, and the threats from organized crime and Southeast Asia. As we move toward the next millennium, piracy has already taken root in Cyberspace heightening the need for greater public education and awareness. This book is eminently readable and provides a vital resource."-Peter Lowe Assistant Director Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau
"Satellite and cable piracy, which ultimately lead to consumer signal theft, are significant problems for the cable industry costing in excess of 6 billion dollars annually. Mr. Paradise has done an outstanding job in covering this particular problem, as well as the broader problem of product counterfeiting. Counterfeit and pirated products, to include cable 'black boxes, ' can be found on the street corners of many American cities undermining and negatively impacting the business community at large. For those interested in present-day American business, this book is a must read!"-Robert J. Astarita Sr. Vice-President, Corporate Security, and Henry Hack, Vice-President, Security Telecommunications Services, New York Metro Area
"Why would a poet and essayist want to read Pail Paradise's Trademark Counterfeiting, Product Piracy, and the Billion Dollar Threat to the U.S. Economy Because anyone can be raided. Poetry may not be an athletic shoe or CD, but knowing how the pirates steal is important for anyone who holds a copyright, patent or trademark. Paradise tells a tale that will make you grab what few dollars you have left in your wallet and run for the hills."-Laurel Speer Poet
A must read by any student of, or investigator concerned with the theft of intellectual property rights.-Focus International
As geopolitical barriers to trade are increasingly dismantled, this book will continue to be a useful reference for law or business collections.-Library Journal
In short, while this book provides a starting point for those seeking extensive analysis of intellectual property issues, it also would be a valuable resource for practitioner who want to insure that they will not miss relevant issues that may be outside the scope of their primary expertise.-The Trademark Reporter
Paradise's knack for organization and precision in research served him well for his new book a comprehensive collection of counterfeiting history, impact and methods as well as a wealth of anecdotal information.-Current
This work is an important resource.- Entertainment and Sports Lawyer
This work is an important resource.-Entertainment and Sports Lawyer
This work is an important resource.Entertainment and Sports Lawyer
"A must read by any student of, or investigator concerned with the theft of intellectual property rights."-Focus International
"As geopolitical barriers to trade are increasingly dismantled, this book will continue to be a useful reference for law or business collections."-Library Journal
"Paradise's knack for organization and precision in research served him well for his new book a comprehensive collection of counterfeiting history, impact and methods as well as a wealth of anecdotal information."-Current
"This work is an important resource."-Entertainment and Sports Lawyer
"In short, while this book provides a starting point for those seeking extensive analysis of intellectual property issues, it also would be a valuable resource for practitioner who want to insure that they will not miss relevant issues that may be outside the scope of their primary expertise."-The Trademark Reporter

Author Bio

PAUL R. PARADISE is a journalist and a freelance writer on a variety of topics, particularly the law and law enforcement./e A frequent contributor to law enforcement periodicals, and a staff writer for T.F.H. Publications, he was formerly an editor for a major publisher of law and law-related materials.