MEDIA STATEMENT
May 2, 2008
ATTORNEY GENERAL APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF ANTI-COUNTERFEITING LEGISLATION
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today expressed his
appreciation to members of the Florida Legislature for passing
anti-counterfeiting legislation, which targets those who manufacture,
distribute or possess counterfeit goods with the intent to sell them. The
bill also provides enhanced penalties for those who counterfeit goods
which cause bodily injury or serious bodily injury. The legislation was
sponsored by Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R-Miami) and Representative
Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) and passed as House Bill 1417.
“Counterfeited goods include potentially deadly prescription
medicine, defective medical devices and other phony products which could
cause serious bodily harm,” said Attorney General McCollum. “Not only do
these goods devastate our economy, they can seriously harm our citizens’
health and well-being. I am extremely grateful to our legislative sponsors
and the members of the Legislature who are making sure our citizens are
better protected from this threat.”
The Attorney General noted that counterfeiting creates serious health
and safety risks to consumers who may unknowingly purchase imposter
products such as pharmaceuticals, household products and automobile parts.
Counterfeiting and piracy cost the U.S. economy $200-$250 billion per year
and are responsible for the loss of more than 750,000 American jobs. The
legislation is based upon the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s model legislation
and passed both chambers today. More information is available online at:
http://myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/562EF58DB4AF3D2585257404005D76AA
