Chamber Calls for Renewed Commitment to Fight Counterfeiting

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A renewed public-private commitment to contain and eventually eradicate counterfeiting and piracy is needed, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber called for the renewed commitment following the release today of the U.S. Trade Representative's annual "Special 301" report on global intellectual property crime that listed 48 countries on the government's watch lists.

"Intellectual property theft has reached epidemic proportions around the globe," said Lt. Gen. Dan Christman (Ret.), the Chamber's senior vice president of international affairs. "The USTR report details useful new initiatives to combat piracy and counterfeiting. But long term success will require the public and private sector working together to successfully implement them and counter the scourge of intellectual property crime."

The Chamber has launched a global campaign to make the world a miserable place for modern day counterfeiters and pirates. The initiative is aimed at educating business, lawmakers, and the media on the broader scope and damaging effects of counterfeiting and piracy, and securing the supply chain by toughening existing laws and increasing enforcement efforts.

Domestically, the U.S. government's Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) initiative has been invaluable in helping U.S. business, according to the Chamber. Overseas, the Chamber is focusing its education, advocacy, and enforcement efforts on China, Russia, Brazil, India, and Africa.

"Protecting the health and safety of consumers, American jobs, and the rights of business is imperative," said Christman. "The Chamber is working with officials from around the world to make concrete progress in this important fight."

The U.S Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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