U.S. Chamber Urges USTR to Strengthen Special 301 Review Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a testimony before the Special 301 Committee, Mark Elliot, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC), highlighted the importance of Special 301 in promoting American jobs and competitiveness.
“The GIPC took this opportunity in our inaugural Special 301 Submission to highlight those markets that present the greatest opportunities and challenges for American businesses abroad in securing and protecting their intellectual property (IP) rights,” said Elliot. “The Special 301 report is a critical tool that shines a spotlight on countries that are threatening American jobs and economic growth by undermining the IP rights of our innovative and creative industries.”
“Given the important role IP rights play in any knowledge-based economy, it is essential for trading partners to not only adopt effective legislation that safeguard IP rights, but to also develop complimentary and meaningful enforcement mechanisms,” added Elliot. “Without adequate enforcement, laws are rendered pointless and American competitiveness and jobs are put on the chopping block.”
The GIPC further urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to continue to work with trading partners to create action plans that provide a roadmap to secure much needed intellectual property reforms. Such efforts would be further strengthened by legislation that would provide clear benchmarks and meaningful consequences for nations that fail to make progress in achieving these benchmarks to improve their IP regimes. Elliot’s testimony is available here and the GIPC Submission is available here.
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.
