Nike, 3M Seek New Weapon in Battle Against Counterfeit Goods (1)

Nike Inc. and 3M Co. are pressing Congress for more power to block imports of knockoffs at the U.S. border.

The companies are backing draft legislation that would give U.S. Customs and Border Protection the authority to seize goods believed to infringe patented designs. The proposal would extend to design patents the same protections given copyrighted and trademarked goods.

Currently, patent owners have to go through a trial at the U.S. International Trade Commission to get an import ban. That can be slow and expensive, particularly for smaller companies or those involved in the fast-changing fashion industry, said Beth Ferrill, ...