Representatives from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) met in person with U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel in Illinois to discuss the growing problem of intellectual property theft.

Manufacturers talked with Espinel on Oct. 8, about the challenges and solutions for protecting intellectual property rights.

The NAM said that manufacturers continue to face a growing threat of product counterfeiting and piracy around the world, especially in China.

Intellectual property theft overseas continues to harm U.S. exports and negatively impact manufacturers’ ability to create jobs, according to the NAM.

TMCnet reported that intellectual property theft costs the U.S. economy more than $100 billion every year, according to estimates.

“Each day manufacturers fall victim to counterfeiting and intellectual property theft that amounts to billions in losses and costs us jobs,” said NAM Vice President of International Economic Affairs Frank Vargo. “We commend Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel for her leadership on this issue and for visiting manufacturers and listening to their many concerns about intellectual property theft.”

Manufacturers hosted Espinel at Illinois Tool Works, Case New Holland and Superior Graphite in Illinois, where she toured the manufacturing facilities and participated in roundtable discussions with manufacturers from the area.

Manufacturers raised the many growing challenges product counterfeiting and piracy pose to their companies and the potential measures that can be taken to stop intellectual property theft.

"Our government's promotion and enforcement of strong intellectual property rights protections are critical to the continued growth, competitiveness and success of manufacturing in the United States," said ITW Vice President of Intellectual Property and NAM Intellectual Property Task Force Chairman Mark Croll. "The loss of intellectual property in other markets poses a very serious risk to U.S. export growth. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration and Congress on solutions to combat this very serious issue for manufacturers."