The United States and ten trading partners–Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam–are working to craft a high-standard agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. The TPP agreement will address new and emerging trade issues and 21st-century challenges by enhancing trade and investment among the TPP partner countries, promoting innovation, economic growth and development, and supporting the creation and retention of jobs.
Given that the TPP is intended to serve as a model for future Asia-Pacific-U.S. trade agreements, it is critical that the TPP Agreement incorporates robust intellectual property (IP) protections.
IP-intensive industries play a key role in driving economic growth, jobs, and competitiveness. IP-intensive industries account for more than 55 million American jobs, 74% of total U.S. exports, and 48% of U.S. GDP. Pursuing comprehensive and commercially meaningful IP obligations will not only benefit U.S. interests, but will also help bring investment, innovation, and jobs to all TPP economies. These protections are also essential ingredients for incentivizing the innovation and creativity that lead to the development of original works, life saving medicines, and environmentally friendly technologies and the promotion of valued brands.
TPP’s IP standards must be comprehensive, specific and commercially meaningful, and apply to all TPP parties and across all industries. The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement’s (KORUS) IP chapter should serve as a model for TPP, as it provides a robust level of IP protections for U.S. creators and innovators, and was widely supported by a broad range of U.S. stakeholders.
RESOURCES:
- Testimony by David Hirschmann, president and CEO of GIPC, before Senate Finance Committee on TPP and IP – April 24, 2013
- Top 10 Overlooked Facts About The Trans-Pacific Partnership (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
- Webcast on “TPP and Beyond: North American Competitiveness and Intellectual Property in the 21st Century” | U.S. Chamber of Commerce – February 21, 2013
- Letter from Multi- Industry Associations to President Obama on IP and the TPP – May 8, 2012
- Letter from House of Representatives to President Obama on IP and the TPP – July 13, 2011
- Letter from Senate Finance to President Obama on IP in the TPP – May 17, 2011
- Letter from House of Representatives to President Obama on IP and the TPP – February 14, 2011