Canadian Chamber welcomes government action to protect intellectual property

    OTTAWA, June 12 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce supports
the introduction of Bill C-61 that will amend the Copyright Act and update
domestic laws to bring Canada in line with the World Intellectual Property
Protection Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and
Phonograms Treaty.
    In February 2007, the House of Commons Industry, Science and Technology
Committee reported on the manufacturing sector and recommended that
intellectual property in Canada would be better protected if the government
implemented the WIPO Copyright treaties. The Canadian Chamber has endorsed the
ratification of these treaties.
    No industry is immune to the theft of intellectual property. The economic
impact of this problem on Canadian companies and the lost tax revenue for the
government is significant. The issue of counterfeiting and piracy has become
so rampant that it threatens to become an international embarrassment for
Canada that could taint our reputation abroad for future investment.
    "The changes to the Copyright Act the government has announced today to
more effectively protect intellectual property are most welcomed by the
business community," said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian
Chamber of Commerce.

    "The introduction of this bill is definitely a step forward in protecting
    intellectual property rights".
    - Valerie Payn, President, Halifax Chamber of Commerce

    "In the rapidly changing global economy, protecting intellectual property
    is critical to ensuring a competitive and stable business environment in
    Canada".
    - Françoise Bertrand, President, Fédération des chambres de commerce du
    Québec

    "From our perspective, intellectual property rights protection is very
    important to the growth of our regional economy".
    - Ross Wells, Chair of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

    "This bill shows that the government takes the issue of protecting
    intellectual property seriously and builds on the strong pro-intellectual
    property statements that were included the Throne Speech".
    - Heather Douglas, President & CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce

    The Canadian Chamber will continue to press for legislative changes and
more resources to fight counterfeiting and piracy at our borders," Mr. Beatty
added.

For further information: Katie Anderson, [phone] ext. 231,
cellular: [phone], [e-mail]