On Tuesday, July 30, 2013 the House will consider H.R. 2754, the Collectible Coin Protection Act, under a suspension of the rules. The bill was introduced on July 19, 2013 by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (N-NC) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 2754 amends the Hobby Protection Act to provide additional tools for dealing with counterfeit coins and other numismatic items (i.e. currency). Currently, it is illegal to domestically manufacture or import any form of imitation currency unless it is marked as a copy. The bill would first make it illegal to sell imitation coins or currency unless so marked. Second, it would make It unlawful to provide assistance to a manufacturer, importer, or seller if the party providing assistance knows that the manufacturer, importer, or seller is engaged in a violation. Finally, if the violation involves the unauthorized use of registered trademarks belonging to a collectibles certification service, the owner of such trademarks would be entitled to remedies under the Trademark Act of 1946.
The Hobby Protection Act requires manufacturers of imitation numismatic items to mark them with the word “copy” and failure to do so is illegal and may constitute an “unfair or deceptive act or practice” under the Federal Trade Commission Act.[1] The Trademark Act of 1946 provides legal copyright protection for those who hold a trademark and file it with the Patent and Trademark Office.
Although no formal estimate has been conducted, an informal estimate from the CBO concluded that the bill would have no effect on direct spending or revenues.
For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.
