U.S. chamber renews calls for better IP protection

U.S. chamber renews calls for better IP protection The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reiterated its support for comprehensive international intellectual property protection at a roundtable forum on IPR rights in Tokyo.
   The chamber joined two other international organizations who are fighting counterfeiting — BUSINESSEUROPE and the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum in Japan.
   “We all agree that counterfeiting poses a growing threat to the health and safety of consumers and to the sustainable development of the world economy,' said Myron Brilliant, chamber vice president for Asia, in a statement. 'Representatives from each of the councils feel that business communities and governments worldwide must increase their efforts to better address global counterfeiting and piracy.'
   Representatives from the organizations expressed the need to establish an enhanced framework for cooperation that includes sharing of best practices, information exchanges, collaboration on joint technical assistance, and development of policy recommendations for IPR protection and enforcement. The coalition, the chamber said, plans to deepen private sector collaboration with the three governments in order to facilitate technical assistance, judicial training, and rule of law programs to improve public awareness, protection, and enforcement of IPR in a number of critical countries around the world, including China, India, and Russia.
   These groups will also lead robust industry delegations to participate in the second annual Global Forum on Innovation, Creativity and IPR, which will take place in Mumbai, India on Feb. 26-27.