| |
 |
| June 18th, 2009 |
|
Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington and Andrea Saul, 202-224-5251 |
|
Printable Version |
|
HATCH URGES OBAMA TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Senators On Both Sides Of The Aisle Sign On To Letter |
| |
Washington – U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to protect intellectual property (IP) rights. In addition to his own, Hatch secured the following signatures for the letter:
Sen. Evan Byah (D- Ind.)
Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R- Utah)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.)
Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R- Iowa)
Sen. Arlen Specter (D- Penn.)
Sen. George V. Voinovich (R- Ohio)
Sen. John Thune (R- S.Dak.)
Sen. Judd Gregg (R- Nh.)
Sen. David Vitter (R- La.)
“The United States government cannot afford to sit idle while others seek to weaken IP protections,” the senators explain. “America must continue to set the standard for IP protection, and be willing to confront those countries and organizations that attempt to weaken IP rights.
The senators explain that industries based on IP employ 18 million Americans and account for more than $5 trillion of the nation’s GDP and more than half of all our exports.
“IP rights have not caused any of the world’s problems, and compulsory licensing is not the key to solving them. Maintaining strong IP rights is essential to economic growth and continued innovation, and protecting IP rights will not only improve the world’s development but America’s as well.,” they conclude.
The full letter is attached and below:
June 18, 2009
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Protecting intellectual property (IP) rights has been a fundamental concept in the United States since the Founders provided Congress with the power “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts” in the Constitution. Today, America’s commitment to strong IP protection has yielded astounding results. Not only do industries based on IP employ 18 million Americans, but they also account for more than $5 trillion of the nation’s GDP, and more than half of all our exports.
The United States’ commitment to strong IP has been a major impetus in propelling it to the forefront of manufacturing. Today we stand on the cutting edge of the bio-tech, entertainment, energy and consumer electronics industries, to name a few. Further investment in these areas will lead to an improved economy and millions of jobs. To ensure the United States maintains its leadership we must continue to reward the creativity of scientists and inventors and provide incentive for businesses and workers to invest time and resources in improving technology and accelerating innovation
Despite the overwhelming evidence that strong IP rights lead to scientific progress, there are many governments, NGOs and even UN agencies that seek to weaken IP protections. Many governments mischaracterize IP rights as an obstacle to progress and a barrier to helping others. Urgently addressing health and environmental crises is a priority that all nations should take seriously. These challenges are handled best when governments and private industry work together. Unfortunately, some governments require compulsory licenses of IP, while others require forced technology transfers. These short-sighted approaches to IP rights will curtail growth and development, and stagnate the very industries that these countries depend on.
For example, China and India claim they cannot meet future global emission requirements without free or significantly discounted access to climate change mitigation technologies. While addressing global pollution and environmental harm is an important endeavor, sacrificing IP protections to achieve it is not the solution. Weakening IP protections will create a disincentive for inventors and large companies to invest in technologies that reduce global emissions and improve the environment. This disincentive will lead to fewer and less efficient technologies, and will significantly impede our ability to improve the environment.
President Barack Obama
Page Two
June 18, 2009
The United States government cannot afford to sit idle while others seek to weaken IP protections. America must continue to set the standard for IP protection, and be willing to confront those countries and organizations that attempt to weaken IP rights.
The world faces many challenges today. IP rights have not caused any of the world’s problems, and compulsory licensing is not the key to solving them. Maintaining strong IP rights is essential to economic growth and continued innovation, and protecting IP rights will not only improve the world’s development but America’s as well.
Sincerely,
______________________ ______________________
Evan Bayh Orrin G. Hatch
__________________ __________________ __________________
Robert F. Bennett Debbie Stabenow Charles E. Grassley
___________________ ________________ _________________
Arlen Specter George V. Voinovich John Thune
______________________ ______________________
Judd Gregg David Vitter
###
View related PDF: 06182009IPRLettertoPresidentObama.pdf (241.7 KBs)
|
| |
| ### |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Radio Clip | 
Television Clip
