Some industries are more frequently hampered by counterfeit goods than others, according to a report from Daily Finance. Companies in those sectors should make sure they get the most from their intellectual property by clamping down hard on knock-offs.

The counterfeit category with the highest dollar value is footwear, according to the report. Roughly $100 million worth of copycat shoes was seized by customs agents in 2009, making up nearly 40 percent of the total value of counterfeit goods seized in the U.S.

Far below, at $31.8 million and $21.5 million each, were consumer electronics and handbags, a category which includes backpacks and wallets, Daily Finance says. Combined, the two categories accounted for 20 percent of seizures.

The money made by counterfeiters of all stripes has a direct impact on the bottom lines of the makers and sellers of legitimate goods. Protecting a company's intellectual property and trademarks is a critically important concern for any business - but it's even more crucial in market sectors that see heavy counterfeiting, experts say.