U.S. Chamber Applauds Senate Action Supporting IP Rights in Climate Change Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today applauded the Senate for supporting America’s workers, manufacturers, and innovators by urging the President to continue protecting intellectual property (IP) rights in ongoing climate change negotiations. The GIPC cited a bipartisan Senate letter sent to the president that highlighted the importance of safeguarding IP rights for clean technology as the United States takes part in U.N. negotiations in Copenhagen. The letter, led by Senators Evan Bayh (D- IN) and George Voinovich (R-OH), was signed by 42 Democrat and Republican Senators.
“This letter clearly demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to American workers and the intellectual property system that protects innovation and its role in addressing global challenges,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the GIPC. “There is a consensus among both Democrats and Republicans that in order to successfully address our environmental and energy goals, IP must be protected, and this position should be reflected in U.S. priorities going into Copenhagen. If there is going to be any agreement, it must not contain language that weakens IP.”
The letter thanks the administration for its continued support of IP rights in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and urges further support from American negotiators as the process continues. Acknowledging international efforts to weaken IP laws, the letter also recognizes the importance of a strong IP system in attracting research and development dollars needed for investment in the new technologies that will bring jobs and solutions to global problems. To read the letter in its entirety, click here.
“Both the House and Senate have now joined the administration is supporting IP in these climate change negotiations,” Esper said. “We thank Senators Bayh and Voinovich for their leadership in this effort. This unified front will help ensure that American jobs and innovation are protected in any agreement that may come out of Copenhagen.”
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
Through its Institute for 21st Century Energy, Global Intellectual Property Center, and International Division, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is actively raising awareness of the business community’s views on elements of an international climate change agreement.
The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
For more information, please contact Trinh Nguyen at 202-463-5379.
