Ron Kirk defends Intellectual Property Rights.
Press Release Summary:
In Special 301 annual report to Congress, USTR Ron Kirk served clear notice that he and Obama Administration will confront Intellectual Property Rights problems wherever they emerge. According to Ambassador Kirk, annual report provides one critical tool for focusing on urgent problems that threaten to undermine innovation and creativity of American firms, workers, and artists. NAM looks forward to working with Kirk, his USTR team, and Administration to address these problems.
Original Press Release:
NAM Welcomes USTR Kirk's Action on Intellectual Property Protection
Vargo Says Kirk "Tells It Like It Is"
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2009 - National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Vice President for International Economic Affairs Frank Vargo today issued the following statement commending U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for his strong defense of Intellectual Property Rights:
Ambassador Kirk's 'Special 301' annual report to Congress submitted April 30 tells it like it is. In less than a month on the job, Ambassador Kirk has served clear notice with this report that he and the Obama Administration will confront Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) problems wherever they emerge.
As Ambassador Kirk says, this annual 'Special 301' Report to Congress provides one critical tool for focusing on urgent problems that threaten to undermine one of America's great strengths in the global economy, the innovation and creativity or American firms, workers, and artists. The NAM looks forward to working with Ambassador Kirk, his USTR team and the entire Administration to address the concrete problems identified in the report.
With 46 trading partner nations, large and small, cited specifically on one of the 'Watch List' categories of concern, there is clearly a lot of urgent work for all of us to do. The NAM and our member companies across the manufacturing spectrum will be true partners with USTR in this effort.
The list of countries cited in detail in this year's report runs the gamut from long-standing IPR hot spots such as China and Russia to important FTA partners and some of the U.S.'s closest political allies. The broad geographic and sectoral swath of IPR problems hitting most major U.S. manufacturing sectors simply confirms the importance and urgency of the challenges ahead. The battle to protect and promote American intellectual property, innovation, and jobs is a battle for America's manufacturing future. We must prevail. Strong leadership like we've seen today from Ambassador Kirk will be decisive.
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 web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.
CONTACTS: HANK COX (202) 637-3090
