RI Senator Urges Support for Measure to Crack Down on Counterfeit Military Products

In response to increasing numbers of counterfeit products in the military supply chain, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to crack down on criminals who traffic in these dangerous goods. The Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Chris Coons (D-DE), would increase penalties and create a heightened criminal offense for trafficking in counterfeit military products.

China recently passed legislation allowing trademark protection for holograms. If other countries follow this could mean a new era for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection.  The International Hologram Manufacturer's Association says that trademarked holograms will boost the protection of the intellectual property rights of holograms and will be a boon for brand owners looking to protect their products and market share. Brands will be able to increase their trademark portfolio and some that don't own trademarks will now have the opportunity.

Ontario's liquor control board recently issued a warning for a certain brand of wine because many of the bottles in circulation are suspected to be counterfeit.

We recently spoke to a Canadian lawyer that tried to warn the LCBO about the possibility of counterfeit wine in Canada several years ago. The lawyer was told that the Canadian supply chain was so secure that counterfeit wine could never get in. Well, it happened.

Ross Petty, professor of law at Babson gives an interesting summary of the brand protection battles fought by Coca-Cola over the years. While these battles were mostly fought using law, not technology, we can still learn a lot from Coke.