IP GENERAL: U.S. Government Accountability Office Releases Report on Effects of Counterfeit and Pirated Goods in U.S.

On April 12, 2010 the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on its efforts to quantify the economic effects of counterfeit and pirated goods in the U.S. The report, "Intellectual Property: Observations on Efforts to Quantify the Economic Effects of Counterfeit and Pirated Goods" (GAO-10-423) is a result of the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008, which directed the GAO to provide information on the quantification of impacts of counterfeit and pirated goods.

The GAO conducted its research during a one year period from April 2009 to April 2010, and examined pre-existing research on the effects of counterfeiting and piracy on consumers, industries, government and the U.S. economy. The GAO also interviewed officials and experts from U.S. government agencies, industry associations, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions. The report states that "quantifying the economic impact of counterfeit and pirated goods on the U.S. economy is challenging primarily because of the lack of available data on the extent and value of counterfeit trade." The experts and literature reviewed by the GAO produced different examples of the effects of counterfeit goods and piracy on the U.S. economy, and the GAO concluded that "despite significant efforts, it is difficult, if not impossible, to quantify the net effect of counterfeiting and piracy on the economy as a whole." No recommendations were made in the report.

The GAO's report can be found here.

Information concerning the GAO generally can be found here.

IP GENERAL: Federal Circuit to Hold Judicial Conference on May 20 in Washington D.C.

On May 20, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's Advisory Council will present a judicial conference, "The Federal Circuit: A National Court of Appeals: Approaching 30 Years," at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington D.C. The day-long conference is scheduled to cover all aspects of the Federal Circuit's jurisdiction and will include panel and individual speaker presentations.

The conference's keynote speaker is Andy Serwer, Managing Editor of FORTUNE Magazine. Chief Justice Roberts will also briefly speak at lunch.

Morning panels will consist of an update on the Federal Circuit Historical Society's new/upcoming publications; fact-finding and decision-making by administrative tribunals that are reviewed by the Federal Circuit, and an en banc panel of Federal Circuit judges moderated by Circuit Judge Alvin A. Schall with an opportunity to submit questions ahead of time to be answered by the panel.

Afternoon sessions will include discussions on the United States Court of Federal Claims and Boards of Contract Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the United States Merit Systems Protection Board, International Trade, and Patent and Trademark.

Information about the judicial conference can be found here.

Registration information can be found here.

Questions for the En Banc panel may be submitted on the form here.

General information concerning the Federal Circuit can be found here.