Trademark association praises state’s new anti-counterfeiting law

JACKSON — The International Trademark Association (INTA) is commending Gov. Haley Barbour and state lawmakers for passing and signing new anti-counterfeiting legislation into law.

The bill was strongly supported by INTA in coalition with the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition. It was also one of the key legislative bills of Attorney General Jim Hood, who has spearheaded a national emphasis with other attorneys general on hazardous counterfeit products.

The new legislation provides tools for the seizure and forfeiture of property while also providing due process to lien holders and parties with security interests. It also fixes technicalities in the state law and now provides law enforcement with additional tools to help fight the spread of counterfeit goods throughout Mississippi.

“Mississippi lawmakers showed their dedication to protecting businesses and consumers by enacting this legislation,” said Alan C. Drewsen, executive director of New York-based INTA. “The sale of counterfeit goods is a serious problem, and the cost to Mississippi businesses can hinder the state’s economic growth. The new bill provides stronger protection from this threat, and we congratulate the state of Mississippi on this important development.”

Source: International Trademark Association