Between 1982 and 1988, world trade nearly doubled, growing from $3 trillion to over $5 trillion. But U.S. trade revenue losses due to piracy increased by more than 1,000%, from $5.5 billion to $61 billion during that same time period.
In 1993, U.S. Customs estimated 750,000 jobs were lost due to foreign counterfeiting of U.S. products.
In 1991, the U.S. auto industry projected it could hire an additional 210,000 workers by eliminating the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit auto parts. Losses cost the industry $12 billion worldwide.
Pirates in the Far East illegally copy roughly 80% of all U.S. software, virtually closing off entry into those markets by legitimate U.S. software manufacturers.
Intellectual property experts estimate that U.S. software companies lose more to software piracy than they earn in profits.
According to the U.S. Customs Office of Strategic Trade, $240 million worth of intellectual property violative merchandise coming into U.S. ports was confiscated by U.S. Customs between FY1990 and FY1994.
Mark Green, NYC Consumer Affairs Commissioner, estimated counterfeiting costs the city over $350 million in lost tax revenues.
According to a 1993 Business Wire release, product counterfeiting is believed to have cost California $7.5 billion a year and 25,000 jobs.
North Carolina Secretary of State, Rufus L. Edmisten, estimates that his state loses $3 million a year due to the sale and manufacturing of counterfeit products.
