A resolution recognizing the importance of trademarks in the economy and the role of trademarks in protecting consumer safety, by designating the month of July as "National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 314
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-17: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4490; text: 07/08/2025 CR S4259)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-31T11:05:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 314) aims to highlight the vital role of trademarks in supporting the U.S. economy and protecting consumers from unsafe products. It designates July 2025 as "National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month" to promote public education on the risks of counterfeit goods, which are fake or imitation products that violate trademark laws.
Key Provisions
- Designation of Awareness Month: Officially recognizes July 2025 as National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month.
- Support for Education Goals: Encourages efforts to inform the public about the health, safety, and economic dangers posed by counterfeit products, such as fake pharmaceuticals or electronics that may contain harmful substances like fentanyl.
- Affirmation of Education Needs: Emphasizes the importance of ongoing federal, state, and private sector programs to equip consumers with tools to avoid counterfeits in physical stores, online shopping, and other digital platforms.
- Commitment to Anti-Counterfeiting: Reaffirms U.S. dedication to reducing the production and demand for fake goods through awareness campaigns, while acknowledging the roles of organizations like the Congressional Trademark Caucus and enforcement agencies.
The resolution includes extensive "Whereas" clauses detailing the problem, citing statistics on global trademark registrations (over 88 million in 2023), economic losses (e.g., $200 billion annually to U.S. businesses), and enforcement data (e.g., over 32 million counterfeit items seized by U.S. Customs in 2024, mostly from China and Hong Kong).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It references foundational statutes like the Lanham Act (1946, which protects trademarks and provides remedies for infringement) and the Trademark Counterfeiting Act (1984, which criminalizes producing and selling fakes) but does not amend them. Instead, it builds symbolic support for their enforcement.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases public awareness of counterfeit risks, potentially leading to safer purchasing decisions and reduced exposure to dangerous fakes (e.g., unsafe medicines or toys), especially for vulnerable groups like children and seniors.
- On Government Agencies: Provides symbolic endorsement for agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which handle seizures and alerts; it may encourage more educational outreach without requiring new funding or actions.
- On Businesses: Supports brand owners by validating their anti-counterfeiting efforts, potentially reducing economic losses (estimated at $200 billion yearly) and freeing resources for innovation rather than enforcement.
- On International Relations: Highlights global issues like the $467 billion counterfeit trade (per OECD data) and seizures from countries like China, but has no direct policy effects; it could indirectly promote U.S. advocacy for stronger international intellectual property protections.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Consumers: Primary beneficiaries through education on spotting and avoiding fakes.
- Businesses and Brand Owners: Affected by economic threats from counterfeits; the resolution validates their protection efforts.
- Government and Enforcement Agencies: Includes federal bodies (e.g., USPTO, CBP, DEA) and state agencies involved in awareness and seizures.
- Non-Profit and Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and the Congressional Trademark Caucus, which lead education campaigns.
- International Trade Partners: Indirectly referenced, particularly exporters of counterfeits, though the focus is domestic awareness.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No enforceable changes; it reinforces existing trademark laws without creating new obligations or rights.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8) by promoting economic fairness, but as a resolution, it carries no legal weight.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (sponsored by Senators Grassley (R), Coons (D), Tillis (R), and Hirono (D)), signaling congressional consensus on intellectual property issues. It marks the 41st anniversary of the 1984 Counterfeiting Act and could inspire future legislative or budgetary support for enforcement, though it remains symbolic.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-17: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4490; text: 07/08/2025 CR S4259)
- 2025-07-17: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-17: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-17: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-08: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-07-08: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the importance of trademarks in the economy and the role of trademarks in protecting consumer safety, by designating the month of July as National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month. — issued 2025-07-17 — PDF (6 pages)