New Coalition Launches to Ensure Trade Deals Advance American Innovation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, a diverse group of trade associations, technology companies, and creative organizations united to launch "ACTION for Trade," a coalition that aims to ensure U.S. trade policy and trade agreements advance a pro-creativity and innovation agenda and prevent foreign countries from stealing intangible assets developed by U.S. creators and innovators.

"Amid ongoing talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, it's critical for America's trade negotiators to make sure the agreement rewards innovation and protects the creative assets developed by U.S. creators and innovators," said Brian Pomper, executive director of the new coalition. "Improving NAFTA will help ensure that our workers and economy prosper." 

Creativity and innovation-based industries continue to play a critical role in the U.S. economy, and the contributions of these industries are growing and diversifying. They account for faster economic growth, greater job creation, and higher wages and exports than industries that are not as dependent on strong intellectual property protections.

The economic impact of America's copyright-intensive industries is growing at a clip of nearly 5 percent each year, far outpacing the overall U.S. economy, and IP-intensive industries are hiring at a breakneck pace.

About ACTION for Trade: The American Creative, Technology, and Innovative Organizations Network is a coalition of trade associations and businesses dedicated to shaping U.S. trade policy. ACTION for Trade aims to make sure U.S. trade policy and trade agreements foster innovation and creativity and protect the intellectual property that drives U.S. trade competitiveness. ACTION for Trade also seeks to help shape global trade standards to advance American creativity and innovation, to grow IPR-enabled U.S. services trade surplus, and to open new markets for American creators and innovators.

For more information go to www.ActionForTrade.org.

Members of ACTION for Trade include: Authors Guild, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Entertainment Software Association (ESA), International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Oracle, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Qualcomm, and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Quotes from members:

ESA: "The U.S. video game industry delivers powerful entertainment and technology to more than 2 billion gamers around the world. Intellectual property rights, market access, and free cross-border data flows are critical to growing U.S. job opportunities and enhancing the creativity of our talented developers and publishers. Joining with other artistic and tech-focused industries, we will help forge bold trade policies that safeguard the work and potential of American manufacturers and innovators."

- Michael Gallagher, president and CEO, Entertainment Software Association

IACC: "Today's economy depends on innovation -- and America's inventors, producers, designers, and researchers are the best in the world. But that means counterfeiters pose a greater risk to the U.S. economy than ever before. That's why IACC joined ACTION for Trade. We want to make sure U.S. trade negotiators defend the intangible assets developed by U.S. workers."

- Robert Barchiesi, president, International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition

MPAA: "America's film and television industry exports to more than 130 countries across the world, registering a positive trade surplus of $13.3 billion, while supporting two million jobs at home. Strong intellectual property protections are crucial to our industry's continued global success. We look forward to working with ACTION for Trade to inform U.S. policymakers on how raising intellectual property standards in trade agreements benefits the U.S. economy."

- Charles Rivkin, CEO, Motion Picture Association of America

PhRMA: "Intellectual property (IP) rights are critical to protecting America's place as the global leader in biopharmaceutical innovation. Strong IP protections are necessary to maintain the substantial investments being made by the biopharmaceutical industry to develop the next generation of treatments and cures to address the world's most pressing public health challenges. We are proud to be a part of ACTION for Trade, and we welcome the opportunity to be a part of the ongoing dialogue about the importance of strong IP protections and the need for our trading partners to properly value IP."

- Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

RIAA: "America's recording artists depend on strong and effective copyright protection as they fuel the streaming economy. We are proud to stand with America's other great creative sectors to fight for U.S. creativity and innovation in foreign markets. Our continued investment in music and partnerships with cutting-edge digital music services depends on it."

- Cary Sherman, chairman & CEO, RIAA

Contact:
Emily Troisi
(202) 471-4228, ext.120
[email protected]

SOURCE ACTION for Trade