Nearly 20,000. Thats the number of counterfeit-product seizures reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in fiscal year 2010.
Those 19,959 seizures represent a 34% increase over the previous year.
The total domestic value of the fake goods seized was $188.1 million. Had the products been genuine, the total value of goods was $1.4 billion, based on estimated manufacturers suggested retail pricing.
Footwear remained the leading product seized for the fifth consecutive year, according to U.S. Customs, and China continued its reign as the No. 1 source country for counterfeit goods. Fully two-thirds, or 66%, of the total domestic value of seizures originated in China.
The top 10 counterfeit or other intellectual property-rights infringing products were footwear, consumer electronics, wearing apparel, handbags/wallets, optical media, computers/hardware, cigarettes, watches/parts, jewelry and pharmaceuticals.
See also: