Measure Coincides with Copenhagen Negotiations; Complements Similar Language Passed by House Calling for IP Protection

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the climate change summit in Copenhagen continues this week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce commended Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for introducing legislation today calling for the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights for clean energy and environmental technology in any global climate change agreement.

“Senator Gillibrand should be commended for introducing this resolution that recognizes the importance of intellectual property in the development of green technologies,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC). “New inventions and processes will not only help address climate change, but will also lead to job growth and economic expansion. This resolution comes at a crucial time when the world is looking for answers to our environmental challenges. If protected, intellectual property will play a critical role in driving the innovation that will provide those answers.”

The legislation – S. Res. 379 – complements similar bipartisan language included in the House Foreign Relations Authorization Act (HR 2410) that passed over the summer. The Chamber urges senators to co-sponsor the Gillibrand resolution.

In calling for the protection of IP in clean energy and environmental technology, the resolution cites the importance of innovation as a driver for research and development funding – an essential component in advancing future technologies. The measure also recognizes efforts from some governments to weaken IP rights at the Copenhagen talks, and the negative effects this would have on future innovation and job growth in the United States and around the globe.

“The introduction of this resolution is indicative of the growing bipartisan awareness among lawmakers and those within the administration that robust intellectual property rights are fundamental to America’s economic success and competitiveness,” added Esper.

The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion IP 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 more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

For more information, please contact Trinh Nguyen at 202-463-5379.