U.S. Chamber Comments on Special 301 Report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—May 1, 2013 Contact: Trinh Nguyen 202-463-5379
Global Intellectual Property Center EncouragesForeign Governments to Foster Robust IP Environments
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today urged foreign governments to improve their intellectual property (IP) enforcement efforts, following the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) release of its annual Special 301 Report.
“Today’s Special 301 Report shines a spotlight on countries that fail to provide adequate IP protection, thereby undermining creativity and innovation,” said Mark Elliot, executive vice president of the Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC). “We urge USTR to continue to work with these countries to create action plans that promote robust IP policies, which in turn will facilitate job creation, continued innovation, cultural richness and diversity, public safety, and access to new technologies.”
A recent submission by the Chamber to USTR provided an overall assessment of four thematic concerns regarding erosion of IP rights. These included an increased emphasis on the need to protect trade secrets, the importance of bilateral and regional trade agreements, online counterfeiting and piracy, and IP enforcement efforts and resources. The submission also highlighted major challenges to IP protections in Brazil, Canada, China, India, Mexico, Russia, and Ukraine, many of which are outlined in GIPC’s International IP Index, Measuring Momentum.
“We are encouraged that USTR recognizes our concerns, such as Ukraine’s unwillingness to respect copyrights, Canada’s decisions against utility patents, and India’s revocation of pharmaceutical patents, and designated countries appropriately to reflect those apprehensions,” said Elliot. “We commend USTR for their findings and hope they have the capabilities required to build on this important assessment of who is and is not playing by the rules in the global trading system.”
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) rights as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
www.uschamber.com @USChamber www.freeenterprise.com
