AAFA Supports IPEC Joint Strategic Plan for Intellectual Property Enforcement

December 13, 2016  |  WASHINGTON, DC

The American Apparel & Footwear Association expressed its support for the Joint Strategic Plan for Intellectual Property Enforcement, released by The White House - Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) on Monday.

"The Joint Strategic Plan is an important road map for the U.S. government, working in conjunction with the private sector and foreign governments, on steps we can take to tackle counterfeiting," said Stephen Lamar, executive vice president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, and an authority on brand protection policy. "Yesterday's release is especially important to demonstrate continuity of coordinated enforcement efforts to protect U.S. intellectual property rights during a time of political transition." 

Entitled "Supporting Innovation, Creativity & Enterprise: Charting a Path Ahead," the report provides the blueprint for intellectual property enforcement by the Federal Government during the next three years. The report was the result of collaboration between numerous federal agencies, with input from private industry. 

The full report can be found here. 

Intellectual property theft is a major concern in the apparel and footwear industry, causing millions of dollars in lost sales and irreparable damage to brand reputation. AAFA's 2015 comment submission to IPEC can be found here.