CONTACTS: John Reid/ Rebecca Wilder
(202) 463-5682 / 888-249-NEWS

 

Thursday, June 14, 2007               

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP) today announced an aggressive, comprehensive campaign to transform the enforcement of U.S. intellectual property rights laws. 

 

"American innovation, jobs and consumer health and safety are being hijacked by organized counterfeiting and piracy crooks and law enforcement resources are inadequate to stop them," said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  "Intellectual property theft is seen as a low-risk, high reward crime in America and it is time to put an end to this by dedicating the law enforcement resources at all levels to put these networks out of business."

 

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, the Chamber and other leaders of the CACP presented detailed recommendations to effectively address the growing problem of counterfeiting.  The agenda outlines six specific goals—(1) Increase resources at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice; (2) Strengthen enforcement at the borders; (3) Toughen penalties; (4) Improve federal government coordination; (5) Reform civil and judicial process; and (6) Educate consumers. 

 

Specific recommendations in the agenda include dedicated agents at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dedicated federal prosecutors and FBI agents to counterfeiting and piracy cases, and institutionalized positions within DOJ and DHS to lead the departments' enforcement efforts. 

 

Press conference participants included Bruce Josten, executive vice president, U.S. Chamber; Rick Cotton, chairman, CACP and executive vice president and general counsel, NBC Universal; Governor John Engler, president, NAM; Dan Glickman, chairman and CEO, MPAA; Mitch Bainwol, Chairman and CEO, RIAA; and Chris Singer, executive vice president and COO, PhRMA. 

 

The Chamber-led CACP is a broad based coalition representing more than 300 associations and businesses.  The Chamber has implemented a global multi-million dollar initiative to thwart the growing threat of counterfeiting and piracy, to protect public health and safety, defend the rights of businesses, and establish fair competition in the global marketplace.

 

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

 

# # #     

 

07-103