Chamber calls for IPR protection momentum to continue

Chamber calls for IPR protection momentum to continue The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has called for a renewed commitment to defending intellectual property following the release of the U.S. Trade Representative’s annual “Special 301” report on global intellectual property crime that listed 43 countries on the government’s watch lists.
   'Industries that are built with intellectual property are critical to our economy,” said Dan Christman, the chamber’s senior vice president of international affairs. 'In the last two years, we have made real progress in the U.S. and around the world, but as the USTR report shows, much work remains. The time to act is now.”
   The chamber said it commended the USTR for its commitment and constant monitoring of this problem — including the elevation of Thailand to the Priority Watch List — and will continue to partner with governments and industry here and abroad on the issue.
   The goal of the chamber’s multimillion-dollar Global Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Initiative is to cut off both the supply and the demand of illicit goods. Through education and increased enforcement around the globe, the chamber said it would continue to work to make strides in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy.
   “The chamber is leading a comprehensive effort that recognizes intellectual property theft as a serious threat to our economic security and calls on all sectors of government and industry around the world to take bold steps to reduce this growing epidemic,” Christman said.