United States and Korea Conclude Historic Trade Agreement

On April 1, 2007, the United States and the Republic of Korea successfully concluded a free trade agreement that will create economic opportunities for their people and enhance their economic and strategic partnership. “The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) will provide U.S. farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service providers exciting new market opportunities in a growing, dynamic country. It will contribute to Korea’s successful transformation to a 21st century economic power," said U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab. The KORUS-FTA represents the United States’ most commercially significant FTA in over a decade. The Republic of Korea is the world’s tenth largest economy, with a GDP of nearly $1 trillion.

For more information, go to: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/April/United_States_Korea_Conclude_Historic_Trade_Agreement.html

Anti-counterfeiting and Piracy Update

As part of our ongoing effort to keep everyone informed about the developments in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) arena, here is a brief update on Anti-counterfeiting and Piracy initiative:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP) have developed "No Trade in Fakes" Supply Chain Tool Kit. This document includes many proven strategies that companies, both small and large, use to protect their supply chains from counterfeiters and modern-day pirates. The Tool Kit is now available on-line at http://www.thetruecosts.org and http://www.thecacp.com. Web stickers are also available for posting on your local websites at http://www.thetruecosts.org/portal/truecosts/webstickers. These Web stickers link directly to the Tool Kit.

In addition to the tool kit, on Wednesday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. EST, the Chamber and the CACP will host the first in a series of free Webinars to further educate businesses about supply chain security and anti-counterfeiting strategies. This online event will include representatives from companies featured in the tool kit as well as experts on supply chain protection.

For a free copy of the tool kit, to register for the Webinar, or to watch archived Webinars, visit http://www.thetruecosts.org or email counterfeiting@uschamber.com For more information or to join the CACP, visit www.thecacp.com.

For this initiative and any other IPR related questions/comments, please contact your IPR Team:

Julie Carducci:(312) 353-8490

Scott Goddin:(503) 326- 3001

Ken Mouradian: (407) 968- 8122

Kam Shah: (202) 482- 1906

Urgent Advisory

As of January 1st a new Hazardous Declaration is required by all airlines.  Label Master Style #F07LC is now required.  All old declarations are being refused by the airlines.   Declarations can be ordered at  http://www.labelmaster.com