WCVE Forum August 7: Counterfeit Crackdown–The Global Fight Against Pirated Goods

America Abroad takes a look at the long war against counterfeiters. Companies have been fighting the proliferation of knockoff Rolexes and Gucci bags for years. Now both business and – quite literally – people’s lives are at risk as counterfeiters move in on markets for everything from drugs to car parts. Globalization and the Internet make it tougher and tougher to catch the copycats. And, as the developing world is learning, where new consumers create a demand, the black market shall supply – and that can kill local industries and people alike.

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Segment 1: Deborah Amos speaks with Professor Adrian Johns about what piracy is and discusses arguments for and against protecting intellectual property. Johns is chair of the Committee on Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science at the University of Chicago. He is also author of the book Piracy: The Intellectual Property Wars from Gutenberg to Gates.

Segment 2: Sean Carberry reports from Ghana, where stepped-up enforcement efforts have failed to stem the flow of counterfeit clothes, car parts and drugs into the country.

Segment 3: Ann Kim travels to India where counterfeit and substandard medications have dangerous implications.

Segment 4: Deborah Amos speaks with Victoria Espinel, the first US Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, about US government efforts to enforce IP.

Segment 5: Ed Low, a Chief Customs and Border Protection officer, takes us on a tour of the port of Oakland, CA and explains what it’s like to be on the front line of the fight against counterfeit goods.

Segment 6: Jordana Gustafson investigates how Hungary got off a US watch list for piracy and why enforcement alone may not be enough to put an end to illegal trade.

Segment 7: Deborah Amos speaks with intellectual property experts Chris Sprigman and John Whealan about when and why intellectual property matters and about the challenges of enforcing IP rights across borders. Professor Chris Sprigman teaches at The University of Virginia School of Law and Professor John Whealan is Associate Dean of Intellectual Property Studies at The George Washington University Law School.

Each month America Abroad takes you on an hour-long audio journey deep inside an international news story. Field reports from around the globe give voice to those living in the middle of the critical issues of the day, and historical segments featuring archival audio and discussions with key policy makers provide crucial context. Co-anchors Ray Suarez and Deborah Amos deliver this unique mix of past and present to give listeners the whole story of what’s happening in the world and what it all means.