U.S. Chamber Urges President-elect, Congress to Protect Rights of Innovative Sectors
Global Intellectual Property Center Releases 2009 Recommendations
WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released its Innovation and Intellectual Property Recommendations to President-elect Barack Obama and the 111th Congress, highlighting the economic contributions of America’s intellectual property (IP)-intensive industries. The recommendations span domestic and international policy issues to be addressed in 2009, as well as key nominations to IP-related positions.
“In the wake of an historic election, in the midst of an economic crisis, and with the establishment of a new coordinator for intellectual property, the stage is set for the Obama Administration and Congress to advance American ingenuity, innovation, and economic growth,” said David Hirschmann, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC). “Stabilizing the economy and protecting IP go hand-in-hand because our economy is built on IP-driven innovation.”
The GIPC’s recommendations are designed to strengthen enforcement of IP protections. They address the broader threat to jobs, innovation, and competitiveness by improving and defending IP norms in key countries and multilateral forums. The recommendations also raise awareness and increase support for the value of innovation and IP, and feature ways to empower the White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator to protect innovation at home and abroad.
“In these uncertain economic times, it is more critical than ever that our government aggressively protect the rights of the innovative sectors,” said Rick Cotton, NBC Universal’s executive vice president and general counsel, and the GIPC’s chairman. “President-elect Obama and the next Congress should make it their top priority to swiftly implement and fully fund the PRO-IP Act as a way to strengthen the U.S. economy, create and preserve American jobs, address the health and safety of consumers, and make U.S. industries more competitive in a tough global economy.”
America’s IP-intensive industries employ nearly 18 million workers. These innovative sectors account for more than $5 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product, comprise more than half of all U.S. exports, and represent 40 percent of U.S. economic growth.
The complete set of recommendations is available at www.theglobalipcenter.com.
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.
