Source: https://www.ussc.gov/policymaking/meetings-hearings/notice-august-30-2006
Timestamp: 2018-03-21 03:40:20
Document Index: 539241505

Matched Legal Cases: ['§2', '§ 2318', '§ 2320', '§2', '§ 2318', '§ 2320']

Notice from August 30, 2006 | United States Sentencing Commission
Pursuant to Rule 3.5 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission, a public meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, One Columbus Circle, N.E., in Suite 2-500 (South Lobby) as detailed in the following agenda:
Vote on Promulgation of Emergency Amendment on Intellectual Property
Minutes of the August 30, 2006
Chair Ricardo H. Hinojosa called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.
The Chair called for a motion to adopt the minutes of the public meetings of April 5, April 28, and May 15, 2006. Commissioner Howell made the motion to adopt the minutes of the three meetings, with Vice Chair Steer seconding the motion. Hearing no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. The motion was adopted by a unanimous vote.
The Chair called on Ms. Desio to inform the Commission on a possible vote to promulgate the various technical and conforming amendments to execute properly the amendments submitted to Congress on May 1, 2006. Ms. Desio stated that the proposed amendments (see attached Exhibit A) conform guideline references in the commentary of three guidelines and add a heading to an application note.
The Chair asked if there was a motion to promulgate the proposed technical and conforming amendments. Vice Chair Castillo made such a motion, with Commissioner Horowitz seconding the motion. Hearing no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. The motion was adopted by a unanimous vote.
The Chair called on Ms. Desio to inform the Commission on a possible vote to promulgate an emergency amendment on intellectual property. Ms. Desio stated that the proposed amendment (see attached Exhibit B) addresses the emergency, 180-day directive in section 1(c) of the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act, Pub. L. 109–181. The deadline for promulgating an amendment under the directive is September 12, 2006. The directive provides in part that the Commission shall review, and if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under section 2318 or 2320 of title 18, United States Code.
The proposed amendment adds subdivision (vii) to Application Note 2(A) of §2B5.3 (Criminal Infringement of Copyright or Trademark) to provide that the infringement amount is based on the retail value of the infringed item in a case under 18 U.S.C. § 2318 or § 2320 that involves a counterfeit label, patch, sticker, wrapper, badge, emblem, medallion, charm, box, container, can, case, hangtag, documentation, or packaging of any type or nature (I) that has not been affixed to, or does not enclose or accompany a good or service; and (II) which, had it been so used, would appear to a reasonably informed purchaser to be affixed to, enclosing or accompanying an identifiable, genuine good or service. In such a case, the “infringed item” is the identifiable, genuine good or service.
The Chair asked if there was a motion to promulgate the proposed amendment. Vice Chair Steer made such a motion, with Vice Chair Castillo seconding the motion. The Chair asked if there was any discussion on the amendment. Vice Chair Steer noted for the record that the Commission has decided to address the core part of the directive as an emergency amendment. The Vice Chair stated that there is language in the directive that refers to another issue relating to circumvention devices. This issue and other related issues also are not being addressed within the scope of this emergency amendment. Vice Chair Steer explained that the Commission takes a careful and conservative approach to its emergency amendment authority because of the limited opportunity for public input and the issue of circumvention devices may not have been adequately covered by the emergency directive. Inasmuch as the statute requires the Commission to re-promulgate the emergency amendment during the regular amendment cycle as a possible permanent amendment, Vice Chair Steer noted that the Commission can consider the issues raised by the DOJ and any other interested parties at that time.
Ex officio Commissioner Elston stated the DOJ’s view that the emergency amendment was a good first step in addressing the issues raised in the directive. He also expressed appreciation for the work of the staff on the emergency amendment. He emphasized the DOJ’s hope that the Commission will address during the regular amendment cycle the other issues it raised, commenting that, while there are a small number of cases prosecuted in this area, setting the appropriate penalties is important to the protection of intellectual property in this country and, by extension, to the protection of American jobs. He concluded by expressing the DOJ’s willingness to work with the Commission during the regular amendment cycle to improve upon the first step that the emergency amendment represents. Hearing no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. The motion was adopted by a unanimous vote.
The Chair stated that the Commission will be voting on its list of priorities in September. He stated that the Commission may not be able to complete all the work needed on some of the issues in just one amendment cycle. The Chair added that the Commission is very interested in comments or suggestions from any interested party on any of the topics the Commission may address. He noted that there is a deadline of September 1, 2006, for any further comments on the Commission’s proposed priority list. The Chair concluded by stating that the Commission always appreciates the comments it receives as it conducts its work within the authority provided to it by the Sentencing Reform Act.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS
("SUMMER COMMENTARY")
4. Weapon Enhancement.—
Revised Proposed Amendment: Implementation of the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act
The proposed amendment adds subdivision (vii) to Application Note 2(A) of §2B5.3 (Criminal Infringement of Copyright or Trademark) to provide that the infringement amount is based on the retail value of the infringed item in a case under 18 U.S.C. § 2318 or § 2320 that involves a counterfeit label, patch, sticker, wrapper, badge, emblem, medallion, charm, box, container, can, case, hangtag, documentation, or packaging of any type or nature (I) that has not been affixed to, or does not enclose or accompany a good or service; and (II) which, had it been so used, would appear to a reasonably informed purchaser to be affixed to, enclosing or accompanying an identifiable, genuine good or service. In such a case, the "infringed item" is the identifiable, genuine good or service.