Business coalition stresses need for better protection of intellectual property rights

    TORONTO, May 25 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce will
announce on Monday the creation of the Canadian Intellectual Property Council,
a coalition of Canadian businesses from a wide range of industry sectors,
stressing the need for a review of Canada's current intellectual property
regime to better recognize the importance of protecting and enforcing
intellectual property rights in today's global economy.
    The Canadian Intellectual Property Council will actively promote an
improved environment in Canada for businesses engaged in innovation and
intellectual property by raising the profile of intellectual property rights
among key policy makers in the government and with the general public, and in
turn, firmly position Canada as a strong supporter of innovation. As a first
step, the Canadian Intellectual Property Council has funded research
undertaken by the Conference Board of Canada regarding the lack of appropriate
intellectual property protection in Canada.
    "We are pleased to launch this important initiative," said Perrin Beatty,
President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. "This is a positive
step toward achieving much needed improvement in Canada's intellectual
property regime, encouraging innovation and ensuring global competitiveness
for Canadian companies."
    "It is essential that the federal government strengthen the current
legislative framework by clearly stipulating trade-mark counterfeiting as a
specific criminal offence under the Trade-marks Act; amending the Criminal
Code to criminalize intentional possession of counterfeit goods for the
purpose of sale; imposing severe penalties to deter offenders and allow police
to seize income and property derived from copyright piracy" he added.
    "It is also imperative for the government to introduce long-anticipated
copyright legislation and implement the World Intellectual Property
Organization treaties that will bring Canada's internet rules up to
international standards" concluded Mr. Beatty.
    The initial members are: Cisco Systems Canada Co.; Canada's
Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies; Canadian Recording Industry
Association; Pfizer Canada; The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors
Association; Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc.; Microsoft Canada Co.; Imperial
Tobacco Canada; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; GE Canada; Louis Vuitton;
Association of Canadian Distillers; eBay Canada; and Unilever Canada Inc. The
coalition is looking to reach out to other Canadian businesses interested in
joining this important initiative. The Canadian Intellectual Property Council
initiative also works closely with the International Chamber of Commerce.
    Canadian businesses are not alone in advocating for better protection of
intellectual property. A recent national survey conducted by Nanos Research
shows that 80% of Canadians polled support the protection of intellectual
property rights for those that make discoveries and inventions or are creating
new products.

For further information: Chris Gray, Senior Policy Analyst, Office:
[phone] ext. 251, Cell: [phone], [e-mail]