A Better Newspaper

## Overview The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) publishes an annual "Notorious Markets" report identifying online and physical marketplaces associated with counterfeiting and piracy. Industry groups are now pushing to add major U.S.-based social media platforms — historically only foreign platforms like Alibaba and DHgate have been listed. ## Key developments - The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) submitted comments to USTR on October 7, recommending Facebook, Instagram, Alibaba.com, AliExpress, and DHgate be included in the 2026 Notorious Markets Report (IPWatchdog, October 11). - AAFA argues Facebook and Instagram have "avoided accountability" despite being significant venues for counterfeit sales, while Alibaba and DHgate have previously appeared on the list (IPWatchdog, October 11). - A separate IPWatchdog roundup noted the AAFA's call to add Meta's Facebook and Instagram to the Notorious Markets List as part of broader industry pressure (IPWatchdog, October 9). ## Why it matters Inclusion on the Notorious Markets List carries reputational and potential policy consequences for platforms, and signals growing industry pressure on U.S. tech giants over counterfeit goods enforcement — an issue with implications for IP law, trade policy, and platform liability debates.