Tech, Consumer, Academia Groups Oppose Shop Safe Act in China Bill

Congress shouldn’t include a bill that aims to combat counterfeit e-commerce goods in its China package (see 2201310033), said tech groups, consumer advocates and academics Tuesday in letters to congressional leaders. The Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-commerce (Shop Safe) Act would require foreign sellers on e-commerce platforms to accept personal jurisdiction in the U.S. and allow themselves to be served in a lawsuit. Platforms would have to make reasonable efforts to screen for sellers who are likely to sell counterfeit goods. The bill would “benefit foreign luxury brands, but harm smaller U.S. companies and consumers,” some 40 groups wrote. The Computer & Communications Industry Association, the Center for Democracy & Technology, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, NetChoice, Public Knowledge, the R Street Institute, Re:Create and Twitter signed. Academics with trademark expertise sent a separate letter saying the bill “would curtail many existing online marketplace offerings that currently give consumers greater choices and spur price competition that reduces consumer costs.” CCIA President Matt Schruers called it a “radical shift” in U.S. policy.