US Chamber Event To Rally Support For Trade Deals, Patent Litigation Bill

A US Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) event tomorrow will include efforts to bring industry forces closer together to get congressional support for the nearly completed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and for proposed legislation on patent litigation.

The event is “looking to the next year and setting out issues,” said Brian Noyes, executive director for strategy and communications at the GIPC. Some 15 different industry organisations will be on hand, reflecting the wide reach of intellectual property rights across every aspect of society.

The GIPC’s IP Summit agenda is available here.

On upcoming issues, for instance, Noyes said, “A lot of work is going to be needed to get TPP closed.” If TPP negotiators manage to complete work on the secretive agreement, the Obama administration will need Congress to renew trade promotion authority, limiting Congress to a yes or no vote on the agreement.

Up next could be the US-European Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), with talks now underway. The second round starts next week.

A panel will be dedicated to patent litigation reform perspectives, following the recent introduction of a bill by House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican. The Chamber is acting as “convener” on this issue, Noyes said, as it recognises that abusive patent litigation interferes with free enterprise.

The daylong event will cover the broad themes of the economy and jobs, access to technologies and lifesaving medicines, trusted brands and consumer safety, and innovation, Noyes told Intellectual Property Watch.

Another issue that might arise is the subject of IP rights and India, as the Chamber has taken a lead role in criticising India for recent actions and court decisions industry sees as detrimental to IP rights.

Speakers include a cutting-edge shoe manufacturer for skaters, and representatives from associations for retailers, innovators, filmmakers, software, IP lawyers, pharmacists, and biotechnology, to name a few.
Points of view among industries vary but all are likely to be generally supportive of strong intellectual property rights.

Speakers also include a keynote by former US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, and a panel moderated by former World Trade Organization Deputy Director General Rufus Yerxa.