USTR Special 301 Report Highlights Benefits of Strong IP Standards in TPP
USTR Special 301 Report Highlights Benefits of Strong IP Standards in TPP
Continued Focus on India, China Critical to Global Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) President and CEO David Hirschmann issued the following statement marking the release of the 2015 Special 301 Report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):
“The 2015 Special 301 Report offers a compelling rationale for countries to adopt much more ambitious IP models to help drive economic growth and job creation, a message consistent with the findings of GIPC’s International IP Index. It also outlines how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) offers a unique opportunity for many of the countries included in the report to build a foundation to help pivot these economies from being net-consumers of intellectual property to net-exporters in the knowledge economy.
“USTR’s continued attention to persistent IP challenges in India and China is also welcome. With an enhanced commitment to IP, China and India would enjoy earlier access to innovative products from the U.S., and encourage the creativity of nearly three billion citizens whose innovative potential remains largely untapped. The Special 301 Report and the GIPC Index have also both identified specific areas including patentability requirements, use of compulsory licensing, forced technology transfer and localization, and copyright protection, among others, where reforms to strengthen IP would deliver immediate benefits for the U.S., Indian and Chinese economies.”
The U.S. Chamber’s Special 301 Submission to USTR provided an overall assessment of both global systemic IP trends and significant IP issues affecting the following economies: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, European Union, India, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, and Thailand.
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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