U.S. Chamber Joins Broadening Coalition in Support for Rogue Sites Legislation
Coalition of 359 Businesses and Labor Groups in 50 States Urges Congress to Enact Rogue Sites Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a letter signed by a sweeping coalition of 359 companies, businesses, and professional organizations in all 50 states in support of urgent Congressional action on rogue sites legislation. The letter was delivered to all members of Congress.
“In just a few short months, the coalition calling for action against online counterfeiting and piracy has grown immensely. Rogue sites are detrimental to American consumers and undermine our ability to keep Americans working,” said Mark Elliot, executive vice president of the GIPC. “Rogue sites legislation, such as the Senate’s PROTECT IP Act, is an absolute necessity to address this scourge of the online marketplace. Effective enforcement of intellectual property laws will protect American jobs, consumer health, and the vibrancy of the Internet.”
The coalition supporting rogue sites legislation consists of nearly every sector in the economy, including pharmaceuticals, sporting goods, consumer protection, green technology, automotive, video games, electronics, broadcasters, and chemical and materials. These small companies, large corporations, trade associations, and professional labor organizations come from every corner of the United States. Emphasizing the threat of rogue websites, the letter states that “[t]he United States cannot and should not tolerate this criminal activity. Not only are jobs and consumers at risk, but rogue sites contribute absolutely no value to the U.S. marketplace.”
“Rogue sites have no place in the legitimate marketplace and in turn, reap ill-gotten rewards at the expense of American taxpayers, workers, and consumer health.” added Elliot. “The Chamber is proud to join the coalition advocating for the job creators and innovators of America. We ask that Congress take a long and hard look at the challenges law enforcement faces, and equip them with the necessary tools to properly enforce existing intellectual property laws.”
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.
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