Final Assignment: Intellectual Property

FINAL ASSIGNMENT
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1 ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING AS THEY PERTAIN TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
* INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
It refers to a creation of one’s mind which could be in the form of inventions, artistic and literary works, names, symbols, and images. It is categorized into industrial property and geographical indications. They are granted through copyrights, patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. They give property owner exclusive rights therefore serving as a bridge between manufacturers and consumers thus allowing users to associate and identify products with their owners (Bently, L., & Sherman, B. (2014).
IMPACTS OF COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE GOODS ON U.S ECONOMY
Innovations and creations stimulate the economy and create employment opportunities in U.S. Counterfeit and pirated merchandise discourages innovation hence resulting in negative effects on consumers, government, and companies therefore hindering economic growth.
China is the major source of counterfeit and pirated merchandise although it is a global challenge. Intellectual property intensive companies generate approximately twenty percent of jobs and thirty percent to GDP and also promote trade (Yager, L. 2011). 
Merchandise goods impact companies and industries negatively due to damaged reputation and brand, increased protection costs, reduction in revenues and potential theft demotivates an urge for industries to innovate more (Yager, L. 2011). 
Counterfeit merchandise may harm consumers when they purchase and consume them because they are of low quality. Counterfeit drugs and medicine pose health and safety risks.
The government of the U.S has lost tax revenue and incur rising enforcement costs. The loss of tax revenues is due to a reduction in corporate taxes as a result of a decrease in companies' revenue.
Demotivation to innovate more due to fear of IP theft and infringement results in slow job creation and weakens U.S competitiveness therefore undermining economic activities hence hurting the economy.
Pirated software is a threat to computer security and privacy. This results in increased cases of cybercrimes which damages institution image, loss of revenue, and stolen data (Yager, L. 2011). 
* SAFETY AND HEALTH CONCERNS POSED BY COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS
counterfeiters' have earned millions of dollars from their activities posing a great risk to consumers who consume their ineffective and unsafe merchandise. Dangerous counterfeit goods such as fake electronics, medicine, military parts, and automotive products cause harm.
consumers buy counterfeit medicines unknowingly which are normally manufactured by uninspected and unlicensed pharmaceuticals. Such medicines contain harmful ingredients which instead of curing illnesses it worsens the conditions and can even kill if not earlier detected.
Most industries promote safety in the workplace, especially where heavy machinery and equipment is used. Counterfeit electrical equipment poses a great risk to those using them for their routine operations. These electrical appliances and machinery can cause malfunctioning which results in overheating and short circuits which leads to shocks, explosion, and fires. These risks may cost employees their lives and even damage properties (Blackstone, E. A., et al 2014).
c) HOW IP THEFT POSE EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
U.S economic strength underlies several characteristics of its power. This is because its national security depends on the strength of the economy. If the economy is weak compared to others, they will lose their diplomatic influence. To maintain a superpower role and strong military base, they must maintain a strong economy. The economy underperforms if the government loses tax revenue, increasing the unemployment level and if Gross Domestic Product is below its potential.
IP theft drains about 250 billion dollars out of the economy annually and results in a loss of approximately 4 million jobs. This destabilizes the economy hence jeopardizing national security. Elimination of loss of tax revenue and increasing employment opportunities will stimulate the economy hence improving national security (Halbert, D. 2016).
2 ACTION THAT PROMPTED BORDER CONTROL OFFENSIVE AND MADE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A PRIORITY
Attack on Pentagon and World Trade Center in the United States on September 11th rapidly prompted border control. The attack is commonly known as 9/11. It was four coordinated attacks by an Islamic terrorist group called Al-Qaeda. This historic attack resulted in over twenty-five thousand injuries, around three thousand deaths, and long-term health effects. Properties worth at least ten billion U.S dollars were destroyed. It also killed three hundred and forty-three firefighters together will about seventy law enforcers. The terrorists hijacked four planes that were bound for California in which two planes crashed into the World Trade Centre and within two hours the entire 110 story building collapsed which destroyed all other buildings in the complex together with surrounding buildings (McElmurry, S., et al 2016).
The third plane fell into the pentagon, headquarters of the U.S defense, and the building partially collapsed. The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after hijackers were thwarted by passengers. The U.S responded by launching a war on terrorism and invaded Afghanistan because they fail to expel Al-Qaeda and deport its leader Osama bin Laden. Many countries in response strengthen their military and introduced new anti-terrorism legislation.
The destruction of the Pentagon, World Trade Centre, and nearby buildings caused serious economic challenges in New York City and global markets. Its regarded as deadliest attack ever.
The "border control offensive" was perceived as a concept developed to minimize terrorism by stopping a terrorist from entering the United States territory. It overtime prioritized illegal immigration. Although terrorism is regarded as a leading threat to the country's national security, illegal immigration is now viewed as a greater risk hence major focus has shifted to drafting measures to mitigate illegal migration.
Canadian border was perceived as open and terrorists could easily pass through it. In response, the United States deployed patrol officers at the Canadian-U.S. border. The September attack had also resulted in the massive redeployment of officers who were tasked to thoroughly inspect those who entered into U.S territory. The inspection resulted in traffics of about fifteen hours causing a delay which hindered the economy of both nations.
Since assuming office, President Trump has put in place measures to tighten the country's borders against illegal entry. Illegal immigrants were initially allowed into the country due to the availability of many jobs in the U.S which Americans wouldn't do. This led to several families being created by illegal immigrants who stayed within the country. Workers whose Visa had expired overstayed and they were never punished. Some cases were reported and they were to be deported but it proved difficult because their respective countries couldn't accept them.
In response to economic and security imperatives, U.S and Canada decided to explore the possibility of constructing a perimeter wall called “North American Perimeter”. This wall was designed based on European Union policy whereby a common external border is established by lifting internal border controls. These discussions geared towards international cooperation which would probably yield an action plan to create a smart border.
The initiatives of having a "Smart border" in the future are now becoming the central factor of succeeding Homeland Security plan. The action plans provide integration and screening of persons and goods before entry into the United States and also ensures strict adherence to entry permits. All these measures are geared towards eradicating illegal immigration and ending terrorism which has been one of the great risks to national security (McElmurry, S., et al 2016).
3 SMART BORDERS.
The smart border was a plan between Canada and the United States but was later integrated to cover the United States and Mexico borders. This was a response to counter illegal border crossings and curb illegal immigration and also provides information to both countries, intelligence teams, and law enforcers regarding border entry developments. Smart borders strategy is premised on mutual agreements which will help the United States to relay information technology which assists in managing risks resulting from shipments, travelers, and vehicles. It minimizes the effects of border regulation on foreign travel and trade (McElmurry, S., et al 2016).
Canada and the United States agreement was adopted in October 2003. It is highlighted by NEXUS implementation at ports of entry. As of September 2005, eleven Nexus crossings had been completed, and this paved way for enrollment of about eighty thousand Canadian and United States nationals. Although this approach was beneficial in managing border crossings, it also inhibited participation. When huge traffics was encountered at the bridge, truck drivers who had been enrolled in NEXUS were unable to reach NEXUS lane because the lanes designed were open to all trucks and vehicles. This would mean that traffic was open to al...