FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 17, 2014              Contact: Brian Noyes 202-463-5804

 

U.S. Chamber Launches Global Brand Council

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) announced today the formation of the Global Brand Council (GBC) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s 2014 National Trademark Expo. During his remarks at the event, GIPC Executive Vice President Mark Elliot noted that the GBC will promote the role brands and trademarks play in stimulating business and trade, and ensuring consumer confidence and safety.

“As we all know, brand names are tremendously valuable to consumers, as they allow us to reach for the products we trust,” said Elliot. “Brands also impact jobs and the economy as a whole. IP-based industries account for 40 million jobs — nearly 30% of all jobs in the United States. In that, trademarks are a significant engine of economic growth and employment in their own right.”

“The global trademark system is facing major challenges. The ease of e-commerce allows countless criminal ventures to distribute counterfeit goods at ever increasing rates. Enforcing IP laws and tackling counterfeiting is tough.  Not so long ago, law enforcement could check shipping containers for fake products — and cut off much of the supply as soon as it arrived at the ports. With the Internet, this task is much more difficult.”

“There is now a great opportunity for policy makers, regulators and the business community to assess how we are doing protecting trademarks, keeping consumers safe and providing the United States Patent and Trademark Office and law enforcement agencies with resources they need to continue their great work.”

Based in Washington, D.C., the GBC will promote trademarks domestically and strongly advocate for increased resources for government and law enforcement agencies. The Council will be an advocate for key domestic and international policies to:

• Promote the business value and consumer benefits of trademarks.
• Combat the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods – both online and physical marketplaces.
• Educate consumers and support domestic and global enforcement efforts.
• Combat domestic and global regulatory efforts undermining the strength and rights of trademark owners.

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