CEOs press governments to act on global anti-counterfeiting initiative

CEOs press governments to act on global anti-counterfeiting initiative Industry leaders in New York Monday asked government leaders and heads of two intergovernmental organizations to step up their commitment to fighting counterfeit goods.
   Members of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Business Action to Stop Counterfeit and Piracy (BASCAP) also announced plans to start a global consumer education campaign to point out the detriment of fake items to the public.
   In addition, the BASCAP asked the U.S. Trade Representative to work towards completing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in cooperation with trading partners, and support the work of the World Intellectual Property Organization and World Customs Organization.
   “Counterfeiting and piracy are taking a tremendous toll on the global economy,” warned Jean-Rene Fourtou, chairman of Vivendi and a BASCAP co-chair. “The situation is getting worse, not better.”
   ACTA, which was introduced last October by the United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and others, would focus on “the gaps not covered by existing multilateral agreements, including stronger enforcement measures, improved international cooperation and a strong legal framework for intellectual property protection,” the ICC said.
   “Expectations for ACTA are high,” added Alan C. Drewson, executive director for the International Trademark Association. “The proposed agreement has the potential to deliver significant improvements in establishing stronger international guidelines and standards, and providing national governments with clear directives for action.”

Danet

   WCO Secretary General Michel Danet called for cooperation to stop the flow of counterfeits. Border control will be a critical tool for strengthening each country’s intellectual property enforcement regime. BASCAP pledged to support the WCO’s latest plans to strengthen customs efforts to stop the flow of counterfeit goods across borders.
   “Counterfeiting and piracy continue to increase at an alarming rate,” Danet said. “We have to invent our own future; it’s time to step up our action in collaboration with the private sector and the time is now.”
   The BASCAP Global Leadership Group includes some of the world’s largest companies. Monday’s meeting marked the third time the group has met since ICC launched the cross-sector initiative in 2005.