The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF), representing the numismatic community, has joined 11 cross-industry associations in a joint letter to six congressional leaders urging support for Senate Resolution 314, which would designate July as “National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month.”

Protecting Intellectual Property and National Security
In addition to supporting the resolution, the letter calls for:

• Preserving funding for the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC)
• Appointing a new coordinator by the Trump Administration before the end of 2025

The IPEC plays a vital role in developing a national strategy to combat global IP infringements, counterfeiting, and piracy—threats that jeopardize U.S. jobs, innovation, and national security.
 

“The IPEC office plays a vital role in ensuring a strategic vision at home and abroad as American IP-intensive companies face growing threats from global IP infringements, counterfeiting, and piracy – impacting domestic jobs, national security, and fueling illicit actors,” the letter stated.

“Inter-agency coordination is a must. So too is the need to pull all stakeholders together to support the Administration and Congress. The IPEC is essential to developing this coordinated government support and has been a missing link since the last IPEC left the White House in 2021.”

Congressional Leaders Addressed
The letter was sent to:

• Sen. Thom Tillis – Chair, Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property
• Sen. Adam Schiff – Ranking Member, Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property
• Sen. Chuck Grassley – Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee; Co-Chair, Trademark Caucus
• Sen. Chris Coons – Vice Chair, Senate Ethics Committee; Co-Chair, Trademark Caucus
• Rep. Darrell Issa – Chair, House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, AI, and the Internet
• Rep. Hank Johnson – Ranking Member, same House subcommittee

Concern Over Budget Cuts
The coalition expressed concern over proposed funding cuts to IPEC in the FY 2026 budget, urging lawmakers to restore funding and prioritize leadership.
 

“We request your help in restoring this funding at previous levels and advocating for the nomination, and swift confirmation of, an Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator by the end of the year.”

Letter Signatories
The joint letter was signed by 12 organizations:

• Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI)
• American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
• Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF)
• Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
• Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2)
• Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)
• Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP)
• International Anticounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)
• Partnership for Safe Medicines
• Personal Care Products Council
• Plumbing Manufacturers International
• TIC Council

---

About ACEF
The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation works to protect consumers and the integrity of the marketplace through public education, industry coordination, and legislative advocacy. Learn more at www.acefonline.org.