WASHINGTON─U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement Chris Israel released the administration’s Annual Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection today. The Annual Report conveys the yearly accomplishments and establishes priorities for the upcoming year for the federal agencies responsible for protecting and enforcing American intellectual property (IP) rights, both domestically and abroad.
“Creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of the American economy, and intellectual property protection is vital to ensure our economic health now and for the future,” said Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. “The Bush Administration recognizes the importance of IP rights and is dealing with counterfeiting and piracy through strong enforcement here at home and increased engagement abroad. We realize there’s more work to be done and will work to meet the goals outlined in the report.” “The record increases in intellectual property enforcement carried out by U.S. law enforcement and other NIPLECC agencies during the past year prove the importance and effectiveness of our coordinated efforts," said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher. "The Department of Justice is committed to enhancing our already substantial efforts toaddress this growing problem.” Highlights cited in the Annual Report include: “This year’s report demonstrates the continued commitment of the Administration to protect intellectual property rights with a coordinated, results-driven approach,” said Israel. “The Administration has made IP enforcement a high priority through senior-level leadership and smarter coordination. While widespread counterfeiting and piracy remains a serious problem, we are improving the global marketplace for American rights holders.” The Annual Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection is published by the Office of the U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement, which heads the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council (NIPLECC). NIPLECC is composed of the five federal agencies involved in intellectual property enforcement, including the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, and Justice; the State Department; and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The Annual Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection can be found online at www.stopfakes.gov
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
