Since the annual meeting of the G8 is one of the most significant policy events of the year, it was a positive sign that “Protection of Intellectual Property Rights” was prominent on the list of global economic issues discussed by G8 leaders in Japan.
At the Summit, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to stepped-up efforts to combat piracy and counterfeiting, namely through support of the Standards to be Employed by Customs for Uniform Rights Enforcement (SECURE) initiative at the World Customs Organization, and the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which is currently being negotiated by the U.S., EU, Japan and several other nations.
This support is important and well-timed. It should serve as a rebuke to an alarming campaign being waged by a group of leftist non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academics that is almost impossible to explain. While our sputtering global economy desperately needs to nurture innovative breakthroughs to address pressing global health needs, exploding energy costs, climate change, food shortages and many other challenges, a small, but vocal group of NGOs and academics are arguing that “concepts” like piracy and counterfeiting have been created as part of a hidden conspiracy to promote the intellectual property “imperialism” of the developed nations.
This view is flawed on many levels. First of all, the effort to promote and protect IP is neither a concept nor a conspiracy. It is the clear and publicly stated policy of the world’s leading economies, because they understand that intellectual property is key to future economic growth and job creation, and is an essential ingredient to driving innovative solutions to tough global problems.
Second, there is a thriving, well-documented global trade in illicit goods, including electronics, auto parts, information technology, entertainment and pharmaceuticals, that threatens global economic stability and the health and safety of consumers. This assertion is backed up by statistics from U.S. customs and law enforcement agencies that show dramatic increases in seized goods, more sophistication in the fake goods coming to the U.S. and more organization by the criminals involved.
The G8 has sent a clear message regarding the importance of IP protection. And it is made real , in part, by work being done in Congress to enhance our own IP enforcement efforts.
These important steps will continue to face opposition from those who froth about concepts, conspiracies and other fantasies, instead of valuing the rule of law and enforcement.