IP GENERAL: U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global IP Center Releases 2010 Intellectual Property Agenda

On February 18, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) released its 2010 Intellectual Property Agenda for Congress and the Administration. The GIPC's agenda includes improving enforcement of IP rights at U.S. borders by supporting passage of S. 1631, the "Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009"; working with the Department of Justice's new task force to fight online counterfeiting and digital theft; encouraging the Obama Administration to conclude a "substantive and enforceable" Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA); and promoting IP compliance by improving the U.S. Trade Representative's "Special 301" process. The 2010 Agenda can be found here.

According to its website, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations, and more than 96% of its members are small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. The Chamber's mission statement is "To advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity, and responsibility."

The GIPC was created in 2007 as an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The GIPC's stated goals are to strengthen the protection and enforcement of IP rights in the United States and abroad; to promote and defend the current system of IP rights and norms in the United States, key countries, and multilateral fora; and to raise awareness and increase support among key audiences for the value of strong IP rights as a driver of innovation and creativity.

Information about the GIPC's 2010 Intellectual Property Agenda can be found here.

Information about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the GIPC can be found here.