Intellectual property (IP) theft is a crime that hurts everyone – including businesses, workers and consumers. It has a particularly devastating impact on manufacturing in the U.S. Stolen technology, pirated software and a variety of other IP theft across the globe costs manufacturers millions and undermines the principles of free enterprise and competition.

The National Association of Attorneys General weighed in on the subject of IP theft this week in a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Director of the Bureau of Competition.  They note that one in six private sector jobs are dependent on the U.S. manufacturing base and the Association is seeking assistance from the FTC in addressing IP theft.  Their research turned up several egregious examples of manufacturers suffering due to IP theft, including:

  • “A California-based apparel manufacturer must compete with an Indian manufacturer that steals over $14 million in software;
  • A Washington-based paper mill must compete with a Mexican paper manufacturer that uses over $10 million in stolen software;
  • An Indiana-based parts manufacturer must face a Chinese competitor that steals over $5.2 million in software.”

The NAM is a leader in the fight against IP theft and it’s good to see a number of states involved and demanding more federal leadership on this issue.