STOPfakes News - 2013

USTR Releases 2013 Special 301 Report

May 1, 2013

Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual “Special 301” Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR).  The Report can be found on the USTR website by clicking here.

In a USTR press release, Acting United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said, “This year’s Special 301 Report demonstrates U.S. resolve to take strong action to support critical jobs and exports in IP-intensive industries. I regret that the Government of Ukraine has earned the first new Priority Foreign Country designation in 11 years due to its severely deteriorating climate for IPR protection and market access, and call upon that government to reverse recent backsliding and swiftly resolve the problems identified today. I am encouraged that other countries, notably Canada, have made long-awaited progress on concerns identified in past reports; I hope that Canada will sustain and build upon that progress, and that other listed countries will make similar progress.”

The Special 301 Report provides a means for the United States to promote the protection and enforcement of IPR. This year the U.S. Trade Representative designated Ukraine a Priority Foreign Country (PFC) under the Special 301 statute due to severe deterioration of enforcement in the areas of government use of pirated software and piracy over the Internet, as well as denial of fair and equitable market access through the authorization and operation of copyright collecting societies. USTR also added Barbados, Bulgaria, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago to the Watch List and announced that while El Salvador and Spain are not listed in the Report, USTR will conduct out-of-cycle reviews to assess progress on IPR challenges identified in this year’s review. Canada moved from the Priority Watch List to the Watch List in recognition of significant progress on copyright issues and Brunei Darussalam and Norway moved off of the Special 301 Watch List. 

To read the full press release, click here.

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World Intellectual Property Day Celebrated Around the Globe

April 26, 2013

People around the world observed World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, 2013 with events and discussions to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property in our everyday lives.  World IP day also honored creators and innovators around the globe and many of the day’s events incorporated this year’s theme—Creativity: the next generation—which aimed to celebrate today’s creators and innovators that are imagining and changing how the world will look tomorrow.  For insight into what IP means to the world economy read this op-ed in the Huffington Post written by Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, Robert Hormats.  And for more information about events, celebrations, lectures, and competitions in 89 countries visit the World IP Day Facebook page and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

 

2013 Patents for Humanity Award Recipients Announced

April 11, 2013

On April 11, 2013 the recipients of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s  2013 Patents for Humanity Awards were announced.  Ten recipients in five categories took home awards in recognition of their innovations that address a wide range of humanitarian issues.  Their patented technologies cover medicines for HIV and malaria, diagnostics for tuberculosis, and implants for broken bones; better nutrition from staple crops like rice and sorghum; technologies to deliver clean water, solar lighting, and safe medications to remote areas; and tools to help researchers find better treatments for rampant diseases.  For more information about the program and the 2013 winners visit the USPTO website here.

Back by Popular Demand: STOPfakes Road Shows to Visit Eighteen Cities in 2013

March 22, 2013

STOPfakes.gov is once again bringing U.S. government tools and assistance "offline" to small and medium sized businesses across America.  Trade experts and attorneys from the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are traveling across the country to host one-day seminars on how companies and individuals can protect and enforce intellectual property to get the most out of exporting abroad.  For more information, including registration details, and a full list of the eighteen cities we will visit in 2013, please click on the link below.

Click here for more Road Show details!

 

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U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Announces Administration Strategy on Trade Secrets

February 20, 2013

Today, U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) Victoria Espinel announced the Administration’s Strategy on Mitigating the Theft of U.S. Trade Secrets.  The Strategy coordinates and improves U.S. Government efforts to protect the innovation that drives the American economy and supports jobs in the United States. 

For more information, click here to read the IPEC blog post.

USPTO Receives Award for Patents for Humanity Initiative

January 23, 2013

On January 22, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) received the National IP and Technology Transfer Policy Award for its Patents for Humanity initiative. The program, designed to encourage the use of patented technology to address humanitarian challenges, was launched in 2012 as a part of a series of Obama administration initiatives to promote game-changing innovations to solve long-standing development challenges.

“We are honored to be recognized for our Patents for Humanity initiative, which recognizes those who use patented technology to aid the less fortunate,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability of technology to transform lives is real and powerful. This program plays a key role in advancing President Obama’s global development agenda.”

The award was presented by the non-profit group Licensing Executives Society International during its annual Global Technology Impact Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

Additional information is available on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Blog.

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CBP, HSI Announce Fiscal Year 2012 IPR Seizure Statistics

January 17, 2013

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations recently announced the results of ongoing efforts to protect America from the trade of counterfeit and pirated goods during fiscal year 2012.

According to the joint annual Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Fiscal Year 2012 Seizure Statistics Report, CBP and ICE agents seized 22,848 shipments of infringing goods and 697 websites involved in the trafficking of these goods. The MSRP of seized goods increased from $1.11 billion in FY 2011 to $1.26 billion in FY 2012, with an average seizure value of more than $10,450. 

Additionally, new enforcements efforts were implemented in 2012. The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center’s Operation Chain Reaction was launched to prevent counterfeit items from entering U.S. government supply chains.  To date, Operation Chain Reaction has resulted in 24 arrests, 36 indictments, 26 convictions and the seizure of more than $9.83 million in counterfeit electronics, currency and vehicle parts.

“Attacking criminal activity at every point along the international supply chain, to include websites, manufacturers, shippers and shipping routes, border entry points, distribution networks and payment methods, is critical to CBP and HSI’s enforcement efforts,” said Lev Kubiak, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Center.

For more information, click here. 

To view and/or download the report, click here.

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