Counterfeiting and its link to organized crime and terrorism: Efforts to tackle the suppy side of this threat, and the use of this lethal connection to deter consumer demand
Law enforcement has established through various cases an existing connection between terrorist networks, organized crime, and the illicit market of counterfeit goods. Such connection poses a significant threat to global security. The legal community has responded to this dangerous link through several methods. This includes: collaborative law enforcement efforts via the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and INTERPOL, as well as cross-border efforts with the Chinese and several other nations in the international community. Enhancements to counterfeiting law by the United States government has also occurred to better combat the crime groups that choose to engage in counterfeiting. This evolution of legislation began with the Lanham Act of 1946 and continued on with the institution and application of several federal statutes that closed loopholes and heightened penalties for those organized crime and terrorist members involved in counterfeiting. However, these efforts only tackle the supply side of the equation. Consumer demand for counterfeit goods introduces another element into this struggle. The vast majority of the consumer population has engaged in at least a single counterfeit purchase for a variety of reasons. Such demand is perpetuating the crime group counterfeiting connection; however, there is little being done to by the United States legal community to deter the consumer from their counterfeit buy. Reshaping consumer attitudes through aggressive educational campaigns about the crime group counterfeiting link, and promoting accountability and liability for counterfeit purchases may be some tactics that are necessary in tackling this lethal link
Keywords: Economic Crime Management, Dr. Gregory Campbell, Mafia, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, RICO, RIAA
