CBP to Accept Donations to Help ID Infringing Imports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule that prescribes regulatory procedures for the donation of hardware, software, equipment, and similar technologies, as well as training and related support services, for the purpose of assisting CBP in detecting and identifying imports that infringe intellectual property rights. Congress directed CBP to develop such procedures in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, noting that much of the expertise in this area lies within the private sector and that companies are most knowledgeable about their products and can provide valuable training to CBP on detection. This rule will be effective as of Jan. 16, 2018.