STOPfakes News - 2007

Small & Medium Sized Business On-line IP Education Course

The U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement has launched a new on-line training tool designed to educate Small & Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) on how to protect their IP. The SME Tutorial allows businesses to educate themselves on a range of important issues from the basic definition of the various types of IP, to more detailed analysis of the processes and tools available to protect their assets. The Department of Commerce partnered with the Small Business Administration to develop this program tailored to aide American SMEs. The tutorial is available to everyone on Stopfakes.gov.

U.S. Coordinator Testifies for Senate Judiciary Committee

The U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement, Chris Israel, testified before the Senate Judiciary committee about U.S. Government efforts to protect intellectual property rights and significant milestones achieved by the Bush Administration. Joining Mr. Israel was Kevin O’Connor, Chief of Staff for U.S. Department of Justice, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Chris Moore. All three highlighted the successful efforts to protect IP from the various agencies across the government. 

U.S. Trade Representative Launches Negotiations for an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Susan Schwab launched efforts to begin negotiations on an Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Ambassador Schwab was joined by Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. ACTA will be a landmark agreement for nations who take theft of intellectual property seriously. The agreement will bring together a group of countries who recognize the importance of IP and are dedicated to protecting the works of innovators and entrepreneurs. In the beginning, negotiating partners will include the European Union, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States. (Commerce’s Secretary Gutierrez Statement Applauding ACTA)

Deputy U.S. Coordinator for International IP Enforcement Addresses Licensing Executives Society (LES) Annual Meeting

The Deputy U.S. Coordinator for International IP Enforcement Wayne Paugh delivered remarks during the opening plenary session of the LES Annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Paugh’s remarks focused on the coordinated approach the U.S. Government takes in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. LES is a professional society comprised of over 6,000 members engaged in the use and protection of intellectual property. The LES membership includes a wide range of professionals, including business executives, lawyers, licensing consultants, engineers, academicians, scientists and government officials.

The Sixth Annual Ambassador’s Roundtable on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in China

Ambassador to China Clark Randt will host the 6th Annual Ambassador’s Roundtable on IPR at the Grand Hyatt in Beijing, China. This is an opportunity for U.S. companies to spend a day with the Ambassador, and hear from industry and trade association representatives with in depth knowledge and experience on handling IP protection and enforcement issues in China. The Roundtable discussion will also include senior U.S. Government officials including the U.S. Coordinator for International IP Enforcement Chris Israel, and the Under Secretary for Patent and Trademarks Jon Dudas.

Secretary Gutierrez to Address the Fourth Annual Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

On October 3, Secretary Gutierrez will deliver remarks to the 4th Annual Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The Summit will address the effects counterfeiting and piracy has on consumer health and safety, how it affects small business, the impact to the economy, and how owners can protect their IP in the global marketplace.

U.S.-EU Intellectual Property Working Group (IPWG) Meets in Washington, D.C.

On September 20-21, the U.S.-EU IPWG met in Washington for its fourth meeting since being created in November 2005. The group met with industry representatives from a wide range of European and U.S. companies at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the first day of meetings. The following day the two Governments met to discuss outcomes from the previous days meetings and to develop a working plan for future actions.

USPTO Program on Protecting Intellectual Property China

On September 19-20, the Department of Commerce’s USPTO will host a free, two-day, seminar for businesses in Kansas City, Missouri. This program is designed to help businesses learn about protecting their intellectual property from theft within China. During the two-day program experts from the private sector in the U.S. and China and from the United States Government will provide comprehensive information on protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights in China. China was the number one source of counterfeit products seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2006, accounting for 81 percent of all seizures.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Release Mid-Year Review Seizure Statistics for Intellectual Property (IP) Violations

In the first half of FY 2007 CBP has reported a 141% increase in value of seized counterfeit and fake goods. This increase is accompanied by a 22% increase in the number of seizures; from the same period of mid-year FY’06. In the release CBP outlines the goods seized and highlights the origin of the fake products captured as they attempted to enter the U.S. supply chains. 

Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) Leaders Announce Intellectual Property (IP) Action Plan

In Montebello, Canada, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and President Bush met and discussed the importance of protecting our intellectual property, to promote innovation and strong economic growth. During the summit, the leaders released the IP Action Plan which was developed by the three governments in collaboration with industry. 

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