Toy Association Joins Global Business Community to Celebrate World IP Day

April 25, 2023 | The Toy Association and its members will join the global business community in celebrating World Intellectual Property (IP) Day (April 26). This year’s theme, “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity,” recognizes women inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs from around the world and their groundbreaking work.

“As we celebrate World IP Day, we are reminded of the crucial role intellectual property plays in driving innovation and supporting a thriving industry for youth entertainment products,” said Jennifer Gibbons, senior vice president of government affairs at The Toy Association. “We are also reminded of the importance of protecting IP. The Toy Association remains committed to advocating for legislation that safeguards consumers from counterfeit products and promoting anti-counterfeiting measures to reduce the influx of dangerous illicit goods entering the U.S. market."

The Toy Association is a strong advocate against counterfeit products and has been at the forefront in supporting legislation to protect consumers from potentially dangerous illicit goods sold online. In addition to working with congressional officials to drive support of IP protection bills, like the SHOP SAFE Act, that incorporate recommendations from The Toy Association’s IP white paper, the Association has testified before the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), urging the Commission to seek additional funding to address oversight on dangerous counterfeit products coming into the U.S.

Most recently, The Toy Association advocated for the passage of the INFORM Consumers Act, which President Biden signed into law in December. The legislation establishes a national standard that requires online marketplaces to disclose certain verified information regarding high-volume third-party sellers of consumer products, including those who sell toys and youth entertainment products.

Beyond its work on Capitol Hill, the Association collaborates with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other agencies on anti-counterfeiting measures to reduce the number of fake toys entering the country. The Association is also a part of the Buy Safe America Coalition, which supports efforts at all levels of government to protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.

Pushing back against counterfeits will continue to be a strategic priority for The Toy Association in 2023. Staff will work alongside congressional offices driving support of the SHOP SAFE Act and continue spreading consumer awareness about the dangers of counterfeit toys and educating toy buyers on how to identify and avoid illicit products.

For more information on The Toy Association’s advocacy work on counterfeits and IP protection, visit thetoyassociation.org/advocacy. Companies that would like more information, or to get involved in these advocacy efforts, are invited to contact The Toy Association’s Jennifer Gibbons.