WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today commended the President’s Export Council for urging President Obama to make intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement a key part of his National Export Initiative.  The Council sent a letter to the president outlining the importance of ensuring that foreign markets provide U.S. creators and innovators with adequate and effective protection of their IP.

“Intellectual property is crucial to a strong economy and job creation, and we commend the President’s Export Council for recognizing this and their active engagement in protecting and enforcing IP rights,” said Gina Vetere, senior director of the Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center. “This letter makes a clear and compelling case to the president that innovation and creativity play a major role in revitalizing America’s global competitiveness and that strengthening IP regimes in foreign markets is fundamental to America’s economic recovery.”

While acknowledging the administration’s current efforts to thwart the growing epidemic of IP infringement in foreign markets, the letter makes the following recommendations as priority areas to strengthen IP protection:

• Empower the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator by ensuring her office has adequate resources and authority to effectively coordinate government-wide IP enforcement efforts;
• Ensure the U.S. government continues to promote and defend a robust international system of IP rights and norms, including by negotiating and implementing trade agreements with strong IP provisions;
• Fight online counterfeiting and digital theft by shutting down rogue websites; and
• Expand IP assistance to U.S. businesses operating abroad through a robust and coordinated IP attaché program.

“We commend the members of the President’s Export Council for highlighting the essential role that IP rights play in driving economic progress in the United States,” added Vetere. “The Chamber fully supports these recommendations and commits to working with Congress and the administration to ensure effective protection and enforcement of IP rights in the United States and abroad.”

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.