FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—April 26, 2013              Contact: Trinh Nguyen 202-463-5379

Global Intellectual Property Center Statement in Observance of World Intellectual Property Day

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center’s Executive Vice President Mark Elliot released the following statement today in observance of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 13^th Annual World Intellectual Property Day:

“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?

“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.

“The Obama Administration proposed only seven years of protection for biologics in its budget, instead of the needed twelve that is current law. China continues to be the biggest market with the largest IP theft problem. Additionally, the Government of India took actions that deteriorated the protection of IP rights that affect all industries and negatively impact businesses’ ability to invest in their country.

“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.

“Significant work by the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator has continued to focus on improvements in domestic enforcement, voluntary arrangements between responsible companies, and a strategy for tackling trade secret theft. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to stop IP theft around the country, including the successful effort of Operation In Our Sites. The voluntary, educational Copyright Alert System launched, providing copyright owners, Internet companies, and consumers alike with a non-confrontational way of reducing online piracy.

“Today, 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.

To view the full State of IP address, please click here.

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 is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.