U.S. Chamber Applauds the Signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
Agreement Will Protect IP Jobs by Raising the Bar on International Intellectual Property Enforcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today applauded the conclusion of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) marked by a signing ceremony in Tokyo, Japan. The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Miriam Sapiro and foreign ministers from Japan, and other countries party to the negotiations.
“The signing of the ACTA is a big victory for the American business community, workers, and IP-intensive sectors across our economy,” said Mark Elliot, executive vice president of the GIPC. “This accord raises the bar on enforcement by improving cooperation among partners, harmonizing how we confront IP theft, addressing IP theft online, and setting a positive example for nations that aspire to have strong IP enforcement regimes. We urge the negotiating countries to move quickly to complete the relevant domestic processes in signing and implementing the agreement to help protect IP jobs and spur economic growth.”
In 2006, the United States and several key trading partners launched negotiations for the ACTA, a plurilateral agreement to help fight counterfeiting and piracy through enhanced international cooperation, awareness, and more effective international standards for enforcing IP rights. ACTA was developed by more than 40 countries representing more than 50% of world trade. The agreement is open for signature until May 1, 2013.
“The theft of intellectual property is an increasingly pressing global issue for American businesses,” said Elliot. “IP theft hampers our competitiveness, kills jobs, and stifles the innovation, creativity, and ingenuity that are the hallmark of our IP-intensive industries. This agreement helps protect IP jobs around the world, including the more than 19 million Americans in IP-intensive industries. The ACTA helps ensure that the trade and economic growth of those industries will be at its best.”
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 ### www.chamberpost.com
