Are there any laws concerning the sale of counterfeit goods on the Internet?
Yes, there are laws regarding the sale of counterfeit goods on the Internet in Washington. The federal government, as well as Washington state, have laws that prohibit the sale of counterfeit goods. These laws are made to protect the public from buying items that may not be authentic, or are not of the quality they expect. The federal Anti-Counterfeiting Consumer Protection Act of 1996 makes it illegal to knowingly sell or transport counterfeit goods in interstate or foreign commerce. Additionally, under Washington State Law, the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (RCW 19.86) makes it a crime to sell or offer to sell any goods or services that are counterfeit or falsely represented. Penalties for selling counterfeit goods on the internet can be quite severe. A federal conviction may include a fine of up to $2 million and a prison term of up to 20 years. A state conviction under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act can result in a fine of up to $25,000 and a possible prison term of up to 10 years. In order to protect themselves from the penalties associated with selling counterfeit goods, sellers should take care to do their due diligence before selling any product online. They should ensure that any products being sold are authentic and accurately described before listing them for sale. This not only ensures that buyers are receiving what they expect, but also protects the seller from potential civil or criminal liability.
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