US Announces Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy ("STOP")

On October 4, 2004, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans joined Ambassador Robert Zoellick, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Homeland Security Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson to announce the Administration?s ?Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP)? initiative. Under the STOP Initiative, The Department of Commerce will

• Establish a hotline that provides a one-stop-shop for businesses to protect their intellectual property at home and abroad. 1-866-999-HALT provides businesses with the information they need to leverage the resources of the U.S.G. to protect their intellectual property rights
• Build a bridge between companies and US Customs to block bogus goods at the border.
• Develop a comprehensive web-based guide for American innovators and businesses on how to safeguard their ideas and innovations
• Challenge industry leaders to develop voluntary guidelines/corporate compliance programs to ensure that their supply chains are free of trade in fakes