Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus, delivered remarks on March 24 at a congressional briefing focused on the issue of counterfeit sports apparel and merchandise. The event was organized by the International Trademark Association, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center.
The topic is significant as counterfeit goods not only deceive consumers but also pose safety risks and undermine trust in marketplaces. Grassley said that criminal actors are increasingly exploiting sports fans by selling fake memorabilia and fraudulent tickets through online platforms.
"The business of selling counterfeit consumer goods is growing, costly and dangerous," Grassley said. He emphasized that these "bad actors are increasingly abusing the e-commerce marketplace to pass off counterfeits and stolen goods as the real thing." He also highlighted safety concerns: "Fake sports equipment doesn’t have the same safety precautions guaranteed by legitimate sellers. Helmets save lives. But counterfeits can lead to severe injury, because counterfeiters don’t bother with abiding by safety regulations."
Grassley discussed recent legislative efforts to combat this problem, including a bipartisan bill introduced with Senator Hassan aimed at allowing Customs and Border Protection to share information about suspected counterfeiters with intellectual property rights holders. He also referenced his support for the INFORM Consumers Act, which took effect in 2023 requiring online marketplaces to collect and verify seller information to help prevent fraud.
"I want to make sure the INFORM Act is doing what we intended, and if the law could be improved, I’m asking you to let me know your views," Grassley said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a central role in overseeing such legislative initiatives due to its broad authority over judicial matters affecting constitutional protections and public safety nationwide according to its official website. The committee reviews legislation related to civil rights, oversees federal law enforcement agencies, evaluates judicial nominations according to its official website, is led by a chair who organizes meetings involving senators from both major parties according to its official website, operates out of Washington D.C., influences federal law across states according to its official website, upholds oversight responsibilities for public safety according to its official website, and serves as a standing committee with authority over legal matters according to its official website.
In closing his remarks at the event, Grassley encouraged attendees "to check out the tables in the back," where examples of counterfeit goods were displayed for educational purposes: "This hands-on experience will help you understand the extent of the problem we’re facing."
