Intellectual Property Case Study

1) Please address the following as they pertain to Intellectual Property:
What is Intellectual Property (IP) and how does counterfeit merchandise impact the U.S. economy? Intellectual Property is materials that are copyrighted, but are produced by counterfeit often looking or performing much like the copyright that they have stolen. Many items that are counterfeit include video games, movies, clothing, automobile and aircraft parts, medications, and personal items such as body sprays, perfumes, and washing detergents. Items are often made and trafficked by organized crime or other criminal and terror groups. Since counterfeit products are available on the black market no taxes are collected and the quality of those product are often subpar
For example, medication that is counterfeit has not been inspected by government agencies such as the FDA to ensure their effectiveness and quality. Often those products can often cause more harm than good. There have been cases in the past, that items such as washing detergent that were counterfeit was made from harmful chemical nowhere near the chemical that are used in the real product. People that purchase those counterfeit products are put their lives at risk.
How does IP theft pose an existential threat to national security? IP theft poses a threat to national security because often the money that is made from the sale of counterfeit product is often used for criminal activities to include acts of terror. In addition, organized crime group have been known to make money from counterfeit product to provide income for other illegal activities such as the trafficking of drugs and the movement of human through smuggling. By supporting the sale of counterfeit the consumer is contributing to actions of those criminal enterprises.

2) Explain the purpose of and reasoning behind Executive Order 13,133. Specifically, what were the goals of the working group that was established by the Executive
By working with other government many travelers could be screened and processing more efficient if they were a low risk to national security, therefore allowing agencies to focus on travelers that may posed a risk to national security for additional screening. Voluntary, background checks can be performed for traveler who want to participated in the Smart Border for expedited clearance on entry. With used of technology border agencies can created databases to keep track of travelers that may be threat to national security. The sharing of data between countries and different agencies is one of the single greatest factor that enhanced the Smart Borders