Retail companies support Senate's initiative to combat counterfeit goods being sold online
The INFORM Consumers Act, a federal legislative initiative aimed at curtailing the sale of fake and stolen goods through online marketplaces, was enacted into law in December 2022. This significant step was taken to enhance transparency and accountability of online platforms, protecting consumers and legitimate businesses from counterfeit products.
The Act requires online marketplaces to verify the identity of high-volume third-party sellers and share certain information with brands and law enforcement. This measure is designed to help combat counterfeit and stolen goods, as well as deter the online sale of counterfeit goods by anonymous sellers and prevent organized retail crime rings from stealing items to resell online.
Several major retail and brand coalitions, including the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), have strongly supported the INFORM Act as a critical tool to protect consumers and legitimate businesses from counterfeit products. Walmart, a leading retailer, supports the INFORM Consumers Act and views it as an important step to increase transparency, address the issue of stolen and counterfeit goods, and protect consumers.
However, as of mid-2025, no new search results indicate changes in the status of the INFORM Act or major new supporters. Amazon, a major e-commerce giant, faces ongoing issues with counterfeit and stolen goods sold through its marketplace, as detailed in various news stories.
In conclusion, the INFORM Consumers Act remains a key federal law against counterfeit goods online, supported by major retail organizations such as the NRF and RILA. For precise legislative tracking or recent advocacy updates, it is recommended to check official congressional records or statements from retail organizations directly.
- Despite the mid-2025 lack of new search results indicating changes in the status of the INFORM Act or major new supporters, the Act remains a critical policy against the online sale of counterfeit goods, supported by organizations like the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).
- Online marketplaces are required by the INFORM Consumers Act to verify the identity of high-volume third-party sellers and share certain information with brands and law enforcement, a measure aimed at combating counterfeit and stolen goods, and deterring the sale of counterfeit products by anonymous sellers.
- The ongoing issues with counterfeit and stolen goods sold through Amazon's marketplace, as detailed in various news stories, highlight the need for stringent enforcement of the INFORM Act to protect consumers.
- As technology continues to evolve, there is increasing potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to aid in detecting and preventing the sale of counterfeit goods online, providing a new frontier in the ongoing war against this form of crime.
- The impact of the INFORM Act on global trade may be significant, with potential implications for international markets, and a call for other countries to enact similar laws to ensure fair and transparent online trading environments.
