Secretary's Speech

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy
Washington, D.C.

I’m pleased to be here and to join the Attorney General in this update of U.S. efforts to attack IP theft. Protecting U.S. intellectual property is a top priority for all of us in the Bush administration.

In addition to the steps to strengthen law enforcement outlined by the Attorney General, we’re working closely with U.S. industry and our trading partners on IP issues.

IP industries represent 40 percent of U.S. economic growth and employ 18 million Americans in good, high-paying jobs.

Intellectual property accounts for nearly one half of the value of all publicly traded U.S. corporations—an amount equal to almost half of the U.S. GDP.

Innovative and creative people are producing new products, medicines, technologies and art, making our lives safer, healthier and more productive.

We know that losses to our economy due to IP theft are enormous, costing jobs, threatening consumers and striking at our most competitive industries.

Through efforts such as STOP, the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy initiative, multiple federal agencies are working together. And, we’ve taken the level of cooperation with industry to a new high. To name just a few of the accomplishments, we have:

• Deployed IP attaches in key markets around the world—China, India, Russia, Brazil, Thailand and the Middle East.
• Produced a China IP online seminar.
• Conducted six major industry “IP Roadshows” in 2006.

Finally, we’ll be launching an online IP protection toolkit designed specifically for small businesses later this summer.

IP was on the agenda for the recent U.S.-EU summit and will be on the agenda at the G8 Summit later this year.

Last month, the U.S. initiated WTO cases concerning aspects of China’s IPR enforcement and market access restrictions on publications, audiovisual and sound recording products. Canada, Mexico, the EU and Japan have asked to join our WTO consultations.

We’ve elevated discussions of IP enforcement to the highest level with countries like Russia and India. And, we’ve made it a priority with the EU and the Security and Prosperity Partnership with Canada and Mexico. In short, the Administration is using the full range of tools to press these issues.

We are making progress, but clearly it’s an uphill battle. As you’re well aware, IP theft is growing, threatening businesses, livelihoods, health and safety.

This year we will be expanding our annual IP enforcement report to the President and Congress to provide a comprehensive review of the problem we face, the efforts we’re making and the steps we need to take in the future.

We are aware that recent decisions by some governments to overturn patents on medicines have aroused concern. The intersection between IP rights and health is a sensitive area, and we must remain committed to respecting the struggles of developing countries to address public health crises.

At the same time, we will continue to urge our trading partners to remember that continued innovation in medicines depends upon strong IP protection. We will work with our partners to encourage that the right balances are struck.

We look forward to continuing to work with you to build and improve upon the progress we have made and to assure that IP enforcement remains a significant and long-term priority for the United States.