Intellectual Property Rights: Fiscal Year 2011 Seizure Statistics

Theft of intellectual property is a serious crime, and in Fiscal Year
(FY) 2011, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) remained vigilant in their commitment to
protect America by expanding their efforts to seize infringing goods.
Counterfeit and pirated goods pose a serious threat to America’s
economic vitality, the health and safety of American consumers, and our
critical infrastructure and national security. Through coordinated efforts to
interdict infringing merchandise, including joint operations, CBP and ICE
enhanced intellectual property enforcement while facilitating the secure
flow of legitimate trade and travel.

• The number of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) seizures increased by
24% to 24,792 in FY 2011 from 19,959 in FY 2010.
• The domestic value of IPR seizures decreased by 5% from $188.1
million to $178.9 million due to the following:
• The number of high-volume but low-value seizures, including
express courier and consolidated shipments, increased significantly.
• The average value of an IPR seizure dropped to $7,193 in FY 2011,
the lowest average value for IPR seizures in the last 10 years.
• The estimated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for all
FY 2011 IPR seizures is $1.1 billion, a slight decline from FY 2010.
• The value of consumer safety and critical technology seizures soared to
more than $60 million due to an increase in pharmaceutical and
perfume seizures.
• The number of consumer safety and critical technology seizures
increased by 44%, and the value of these seizures rose by 41%
compared to FY 2010 totals.