U.S. Chamber Commends USTR on Decision to Move Forward with ACTA Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today commended the announcement by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that the administration plans to move forward with the negotiation of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Once completed, ACTA will enable the United States and its trading partners to better combat counterfeiting and piracy around the world.
“The United States is the world leader in innovation and creativity because of our strong intellectual property laws,” said Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC). “We must work with likeminded trading partners to ensure that all nations understand that IP theft is a serious problem that doesn’t just affect businesses’ bottom lines in the short term, but also discourages investment and innovation in the long term.”
“A strong ACTA that creates more effective practices to confront counterfeiting and piracy in both the physical and online environments will help protect American workers and businesses,” said Esper. “Today’s announcement by Ambassador Kirk is an important step forward on this urgent issue. The GIPC is committed to working with USTR on this important endeavor.”
In October 2007, the USTR proposed ACTA in an effort to promote international cooperation, enforcement practices, and a legal framework to address global counterfeiting and piracy. Counterfeiting and piracy are a global epidemic that cost the U.S. economy $250 billion annually and have led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
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.
