Picture this: A shipping container full of knockoff versions of your product is headed to U.S. shores. Without a registered trademark, those fakes might slip right through customs and into the market, damaging your brand’s reputation and your bottom line. But with the right registration strategy, you can turn U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) into your brand’s personal security force.
Your Secret Weapon: Customs Recordation
Once you have a federal trademark registration, you gain access to a powerful tool: the ability to record your trademark with CBP. Think of it as putting your brand on customs officers’ most-wanted list – but in a good way! They’ll actively look for products that infringe on your trademark rights.
How It Works:
- CBP officers screen incoming shipments against a database of recorded trademarks
- Suspicious goods can be detained and examined
- You’ll be notified if potentially infringing products are found
- Counterfeit goods can be seized and destroyed
The Real-World Impact
Consider these benefits of customs recordation:
- Prevention Rather Than Cure
- Stop counterfeits before they enter the US market
- Avoid costly legal battles after fakes are already being sold
- Protect your reputation proactively
- Cost-Effective Protection
- Recordation is relatively inexpensive
- CBP does the monitoring for you
- Saves money on private investigators and enforcement
Making It Work For You
To maximize this protection, maintain regular communication with CBP. Provide product identification guides and keep your recordation information current. Remember, you’re essentially getting thousands of customs officers as allies in protecting your brand – all because you took the step to register your trademark.
Ready to add this layer of protection to your brand? Contact us at (888) 666-0062 or schedule a consultation online to discuss recording your trademark with U.S. Customs.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney.
