Press Release
PASS Swings and Misses on Some Basic Facts
Buy Safe America Coalition Responds to Launch of The Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers (PASS Coalition)
Washington, D.C — The Buy Safe America Coalition, a diverse group of retailers, consumer groups, wholesaler-distributors, and manufacturers that support efforts to protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods, today released the following statement on the launch of The Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers (PASS Coalition).
“The Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers has made a number of false and misleading statements right out of the gate, which calls into question their commitment to protecting consumers and small business,” said Michael Hanson, Buy Safe America Coalition spokesperson. “Instead of working with lawmakers and industry stakeholders to tackle the blatant lack of transparency on e-commerce platforms, the Coalition has chosen a misinformation campaign—lawmakers shouldn’t be fooled.
In a recent article, several incorrect comments were made by a PASS Coalition member about the INFORM Consumers Act. The Coalition member suggested that the sale of used or reused items is impacted by this legislation, which is not the case. The legislation applies to sellers that have 200 or more discrete sales that equates to over $5,000 in a 12-month period of new or unused consumer products. Any person or business selling used clothing or furniture, for example, will not be affected by this legislation. In addition, no business operating out of their home would be required to provide their home address or phone number. The PASS Coalition’s attempt to suggest otherwise is a disserve to the businesses, consumers, and sellers who would directly benefit from legislation aimed at weeding out sellers of counterfeit and stolen goods.
The INFORM Consumers Act will protect consumers and help legitimate small businesses by better identifying criminals and scam artists who are currently using the anonymity of online marketplaces to sell stolen and counterfeit products, often times well below market prices.
Visit BuySafeAmerica.org for more information about the growing problem of stolen and counterfeit goods and solutions to better protect consumers and businesses.
“The Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers has made a number of false and misleading statements right out of the gate, which calls into question their commitment to protecting consumers and small business,” said Michael Hanson, Buy Safe America Coalition spokesperson. “Instead of working with lawmakers and industry stakeholders to tackle the blatant lack of transparency on e-commerce platforms, the Coalition has chosen a misinformation campaign—lawmakers shouldn’t be fooled.
In a recent article, several incorrect comments were made by a PASS Coalition member about the INFORM Consumers Act. The Coalition member suggested that the sale of used or reused items is impacted by this legislation, which is not the case. The legislation applies to sellers that have 200 or more discrete sales that equates to over $5,000 in a 12-month period of new or unused consumer products. Any person or business selling used clothing or furniture, for example, will not be affected by this legislation. In addition, no business operating out of their home would be required to provide their home address or phone number. The PASS Coalition’s attempt to suggest otherwise is a disserve to the businesses, consumers, and sellers who would directly benefit from legislation aimed at weeding out sellers of counterfeit and stolen goods.
The INFORM Consumers Act will protect consumers and help legitimate small businesses by better identifying criminals and scam artists who are currently using the anonymity of online marketplaces to sell stolen and counterfeit products, often times well below market prices.
Visit BuySafeAmerica.org for more information about the growing problem of stolen and counterfeit goods and solutions to better protect consumers and businesses.
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The Buy Safe America Coalition represents a diverse group of responsible retailers, consumer groups, manufacturers, intellectual property advocates and law enforcement officials who support efforts at all levels of government to protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.
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About Coalition
The Buy Safe America Coalition represents a diverse group of responsible retailers, consumer groups, manufacturers, intellectual property advocates, and law enforcement officials who support efforts to protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.
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The Problem
The marketplace today for common, everyday goods is flooded with counterfeit and stolen products. Absent reform, legitimate businesses, and consumers will continue to be harmed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes a counterfeit product? Why aren’t major online marketplaces doing more? Answers to common questions around the issue of organized retail crime.
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