Please contact Scott Hall at smhall@uschamber.com or 202-463-5817.
Executive Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
April 26, 2013
The creative and scientific discovery process often yields new and exciting ideas. But intellectual property (IP) is the driver that brings them to life, and turns ideas into innovations. Intellectual property-driven innovation delivers job creation, new solutions to the world’s problems, from health care and the environment, to ensuring consumers have safe access to a dizzying array of new content and products. As we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, it is worthwhile to review advancements made over the past year and the current “state of intellectual property.” The theme of World Intellectual Property Day this year, Creativity: The Next Generation, puts into perspective how creativity and innovation will lead the next generation into the future. But how is that creativity and intellectual property being treated in 2013?
The impact of intellectual property has expanded significantly in the modern economy. While there are positive movements forward, much work remains to be done.
Over the last year, while many governments are seeking to incentivize innovation and investment in creative industries, some nations have taken steps in the wrong direction. Specifically, in GIPC’s recent study, GIPC International IP Index: Measuring Momentum, research showed that the last year has produced “setbacks in protecting, implementing, and enforcing IP rights” in several important areas around the world. These challenges to innovative thinking and knowledge economies include:
Fortunately, many domestic and international efforts have provided for more security of IP rights, and will continue to generate innovations and attract investment in the economies that follow these principles:
Our members represent leaders in medicines, creative content, and technology. All are companies that invest time and resources with the expectation that their efforts will bring about exciting new products to be enjoyed by the next generation. Fostering modern IP rules and standards, both in the United States and abroad, is critical to promote and harvest future innovation and creativity for the benefit of the global economy.
On World Intellectual Property Day, it is important to consider the work still before us. In the year ahead, GIPC looks forward to continuing to lead a worldwide effort to protect the IP rights that are essential to creating jobs, advancing economic growth, and improving the lives of people across the globe.