To expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4930
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-28: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T16:10:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill amends Section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930 to expand the information that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may share with certain parties when there is a suspected violation of intellectual property rights involving imported merchandise.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Changes the threshold for sharing from when CBP "suspects" a violation to when CBP "has a reasonable suspicion" of a violation.
- Broadens the description of merchandise to explicitly include packing materials and containers, and expands the images that may be shared to cover the merchandise, its packaging, packing materials, containers, and labels.
- Allows CBP to share nonpublic information about the merchandise that was generated by online marketplaces, similar platforms, express consignment operators, freight forwarders, or other entities involved in the sale or importation of the goods.
- Requires CBP to notify the recipient when nonpublic information is shared, according to regulations to be issued by the Secretary.
- Expands the list of parties eligible to receive information to include any other party with an interest in the merchandise, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner of CBP.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced The amendments modify the existing authority under 19 U.S.C. 1628a by:
- Raising the standard for information sharing to a "reasonable suspicion."
- Adding new categories of information that may be disclosed, including data from private commercial platforms.
- Introducing a mandatory notification requirement for nonpublic data.
- Widening the range of recipients beyond the original list to include additional interested parties.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government agencies: CBP gains broader authority to share detailed and nonpublic data, which may improve coordination on intellectual property enforcement but requires development of new regulations and notification procedures.
- Citizens and businesses: Rights holders may receive more comprehensive information to support enforcement actions, while importers and platform operators could face increased scrutiny.
- International relations: The changes could affect cross-border trade by strengthening U.S. intellectual property protections at the border, potentially influencing relations with trading partners involved in high volumes of imported goods.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.
- Intellectual property rights holders (e.g., trademark and copyright owners).
- Online marketplaces, express consignment operators, freight forwarders, and other supply-chain entities.
- Importers and parties with an interest in imported merchandise.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill enhances administrative information-sharing authority without creating new private rights of action. It introduces a notification requirement for nonpublic data, which may address privacy considerations, while the expansion of eligible recipients could raise questions about the scope of administrative discretion in determining "interest" in merchandise. The legislation focuses solely on border enforcement of intellectual property rights and does not alter substantive intellectual property law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-28: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2026-04-27: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-04-27: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3098-3099)
- 2026-04-27: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3098-3099)
- 2026-04-27: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4930.
- 2026-04-27: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3098-3100)
- 2026-04-27: Mr. Moore (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-12-30: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 361.
- 2025-12-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-415.
- 2025-12-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-415.
- 2025-12-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 2025-12-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-08-08: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-08-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- An Act To expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade. — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (4 pages)
- To expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade. — issued 2025-08-08 — PDF (3 pages)
- An Act To expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade. — issued 2026-04-28 — PDF (3 pages)
- To expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade. — issued 2025-12-30 — PDF (6 pages)