Partnership yields 185 arrests and $115 million of seizures in five South American nations

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today joined INTERPOL in announcing a major seizure of counterfeit and other illicit goods in South America. Operation Jupiter, an INTERPOL-led investigation targeting transnational counterfeit networks, resulted in 185 new arrests and the seizure of $115 million of illegal goods. This particular effort brought together INTERPOL, police and customs officials, and businesses affected by counterfeiting and piracy operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 

“By working together, the business community and INTERPOL are bringing criminal counterfeiters to justice, while protecting the innovators, workers, and consumers who rely on legitimate and safe products,” said David Hirschmann, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center. “The world class database developed in partnership with INTERPOL has proven to be a vital tool in this fight, providing law enforcement personnel with real-time intelligence on these criminal networks.”

In February 2008, INTERPOL launched the Chamber-funded Database on Intellectual Property Crime (DIIP), a mechanism for intelligence gathering and sharing that enables cross-industry international collaboration to protect intellectual property. Today’s announced effort was aided by the cooperation of over 20 different industries working closely with local and national law enforcement agencies.

The seizure included counterfeit medicines, toys, sub-standard electrical products, and agrochemicals in addition to illicit drugs, firearms, ammunition, and other illegal products. To date, Operation Jupiter seizures have netted over $165 million worth of illicit goods.

“It’s hard to rest easy knowing that this is just the tip of the iceberg, but this bust is an important step towards protecting workers and families from the devastating and lethal consequences of counterfeiting and piracy,” added Hirschmann. “By protecting intellectual property around the world, innovation can continue promoting global economic growth, human progress, and breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

”Counterfeiting and piracy are a global epidemic which cost the U.S. economy $250 billion annually and have led to the loss of more than 750,000 jobs. Affecting every American community, counterfeiting and piracy endanger public health and safety, while costing federal, state, and local governments much-needed tax revenue for vital community projects.

The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion IP as a vital engine of global development, growth, and human progress.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

Partnership yields 185 arrests and $115 million of seizures in five South American nations

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today joined INTERPOL in announcing a major seizure of counterfeit and other illicit goods in South America. Operation Jupiter, an INTERPOL-led investigation targeting transnational counterfeit networks, resulted in 185 new arrests and the seizure of $115 million of illegal goods. This particular effort brought together INTERPOL, police and customs officials, and businesses affected by counterfeiting and piracy operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 

“By working together, the business community and INTERPOL are bringing criminal counterfeiters to justice, while protecting the innovators, workers, and consumers who rely on legitimate and safe products,” said David Hirschmann, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center. “The world class database developed in partnership with INTERPOL has proven to be a vital tool in this fight, providing law enforcement personnel with real-time intelligence on these criminal networks.”

In February 2008, INTERPOL launched the Chamber-funded Database on Intellectual Property Crime (DIIP), a mechanism for intelligence gathering and sharing that enables cross-industry international collaboration to protect intellectual property. Today’s announced effort was aided by the cooperation of over 20 different industries working closely with local and national law enforcement agencies.

The seizure included counterfeit medicines, toys, sub-standard electrical products, and agrochemicals in addition to illicit drugs, firearms, ammunition, and other illegal products. To date, Operation Jupiter seizures have netted over $165 million worth of illicit goods.

“It’s hard to rest easy knowing that this is just the tip of the iceberg, but this bust is an important step towards protecting workers and families from the devastating and lethal consequences of counterfeiting and piracy,” added Hirschmann. “By protecting intellectual property around the world, innovation can continue promoting global economic growth, human progress, and breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

”Counterfeiting and piracy are a global epidemic which cost the U.S. economy $250 billion annually and have led to the loss of more than 750,000 jobs. Affecting every American community, counterfeiting and piracy endanger public health and safety, while costing federal, state, and local governments much-needed tax revenue for vital community projects.

The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion IP as a vital engine of global development, growth, and human progress.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com