| To promote justice, the United States law allows for | | | | idea, object, phrase, or other such item, it is called |
| private citizens to bring forth lawsuits on behalf of | | | | false marking. False marking involves placing a patent, |
| the government. If a citizen notices another person | | | | patent number, or name on an object or idea that |
| or company committing fraud or other such crimes, | | | | does not belong to that person. The criminal may use |
| the citizen can accuse the criminal of defrauding the | | | | it for importing or exporting, advertising, or selling |
| government and take that person to court. This is | | | | illegal items. For example, if someone wants to import |
| called qui tam law. One part of qui tam law includes a | | | | something into the United States that is illegal, such |
| provision against false marking. | | | | as drugs, they may place it in a box that is labeled |
| The U.S. government recognizes that people and | | | | with a patent and information for a legal item. |
| companies can develop important products or ideas | | | | Criminals may use this false marking to avoid |
| that should be protected. Thus, the government | | | | customs officials. |
| allows you to apply for patents and other copyright | | | | Additionally, the item itself does not always have to |
| options to protect your intellectual property from | | | | be banned. For instance, a person may make an |
| other people. This way, you can use your idea or | | | | imitation purse and put the name or sign of company |
| item for profit. | | | | on it to trick people into thinking that it is a real item. |
| If someone decides to illegally use your patented | | | | This is also described under false marking law. |