[JURIST] The US House of Representatives [official website] Tuesday approved a bill to bolster anti-counterfeiting laws expected to prevent billions of dollars in losses to US manufacturers. The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act [text, PDF], passed by the Senate last month, mandates the elimination of all equipment used to make counterfeit goods and strengthens laws which prohibit the use of fake trademark labels. American auto suppliers have voiced support for the measure due to losses in revenue and safety concerns over the manufacturing of counterfeit brake pads which proved to be faulty.

The National Association of Manufacturers [association website] estimates that fake goods make up almost $500 million of all goods produced each year, crossing industries such as pharmaceuticals, clothing, auto parts, toys, and electronics. The measure will now go to President Bush for his signature. AP has more.