What are intellectual property rights that U.S. Customs enforces?
U.S. Customs enforces laws relating to the protection of intellectual property rights at the border. Included in the intellectual property rights that Customs enforces are: • Trademarks • Trade Names • Copyrights • Patents A trademark is defined as a word, name, symbol, device, color or combination thereof used to distinguish goods. U.S. Customs protects trademarks that are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Customs administrative enforcement entitles certification marks, service marks and collective marks to the same protection as trademarks. Registration of a trademark covers a specific class or classes of goods, for a period of ten years and is renewable.
