Press Release

Retailers, E-Commerce Platforms, and Manufacturers Call for Inclusion of INFORM Consumers Act in Bilateral Innovation Act

The Buy Safe America Coalition, the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers, and the National Association of Manufacturers Urge Congressional Leadership to Protect Consumers and Help Law Enforcement

 
Washington, DC –  Today, the Buy Safe America Coalition, the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers, and the National Association of Manufacturers representing a diverse group of retailers, manufacturers, law enforcement, third-party marketplaces, and eCommerce platforms collectively supporting efforts to combat organized retail crime and protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods sent a letter urging Congressional leadership to include the INFORM Consumers Act in the final Bipartisan Innovation Act package.
 
“It is critical we protect American consumers and provide law enforcement with the tools to help shut down criminal networks from selling illicit and unsafe goods online,” said Michael Hanson, Buy Safe America Coalition spokesperson. “We are urging Congressional leadership to put the well-being of American consumers and small businesses first by including this common-sense legislation in the final Bilateral Innovation Act.”
 
“This legislation will improve upon the important working relationship between marketplaces, retailers and law enforcement, and, most importantly, it will also protect small sellers who are providing unique and creative goods to the public,” said Chris Lamond, Executive Director at the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers.
 
"Counterfeit products, increasingly sold online, pose a growing challenge to manufacturers, workers and consumers,” said Chris Netram, Managing VP, Tax and Domestic Economic Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. “That’s why it’s so critical for Congress to support clear, practical steps to target those bad actors, providing new tools that allow all parties to work together to stop counterfeiters from abusing these channels. The INFORM Consumers Act is just such a practical step that should be included in a final competitiveness package.”

The INFORM Consumers Act, federal legislation that would require online marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers, will protect families and communities from the sale of stolen and counterfeit goods and protect American businesses and jobs. It passed in the U.S. House in February as part of the America COMPETES Act.
 

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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. The coalition is urging Congress to pass the INFORM Consumers Act — legislation that has multi-industry and bipartisan support to combat counterfeit and stolen products sold online.
 
The Protect America’s Small Sellers is a policy-oriented coalition of third-party marketplaces and eCommerce platforms that have joined forces to educate policymakers on the benefits of our eCommerce business models while also working collaboratively with policymakers to find thoughtful solutions to consumer protection, competition and economic development issues impacting eCommerce. Current Coalition members include 1st Dibbs, eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp, Pinterest, Poshmark, Redbubble and StockX.
 
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.6 million men and women, contributes $2.71 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 58% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States.