NAM supports Intellectual Property Rights initiative.
Press Release Summary:
Joining U.S. Trade Representative, Susan C. Schwab and members of Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property and Piracy Prevention, NAM supports plurilateral agreement to advocate high standards for protection of intellectual property in competitive global marketplace. Proposed agreement calls for advanced economies to establish common legal standards and enforcement practices and to expand international cooperation to stop counterfeiting and piracy.
Original Press Release:
NAM Joins USTR, Other Business Groups in New Intellectual Property Rights Initiative
Vargo Sees "Great Opportunity" to Combat Piracy of Intellectual Property
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 23, 2007 - The National Association of Manufacturers today joined with U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and members of the Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property and Piracy Prevention in support of a new "plurilateral agreement" to advocate high standards for protection of intellectual property in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.
"This is a compelling idea that provides us a great opportunity to make real headway against the growing problem of international counterfeiting that is hurting so many U.S. manufacturers," said Frank Vargo, NAM vice president for international economic policy.
"We commend Ambassador Schwab for finding an innovative approach to combat piracy of intellectual property and we'll continue to work with her to address the issue," he said. "Likewise, the Japanese government deserves a great deal of credit for playing an early role in promoting a new initiative on intellectual property protection."
The proposed agreement calls for advanced economies that already share a strong commitment to protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) to establish common legal standards and enforcement practices and to expand international cooperation to stop counterfeiting and piracy. It is hoped that negotiation of "plurilateral agreement" among a small group of like-minded trading partners will proceed more quickly and productively than a global agreement with all WTO members.
"There is no question that piracy of intellectual property is out of control and undercutting U.S. competitiveness," Vargo said. "Because the proposed agreement is consistent with existing law and no new legislation should be required, we expect to see rapid progress."
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 11 additional offices across the country. Visit the NAM's award-winning web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.
CONTACTS:
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