I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for considering important legislation to strengthen intellectual property rights and enforcement.  H.R. 4279, the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP Act)," would toughen civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy, provide enhanced resources for enforcement, and improve coordination within the executive branch. The U.S. House is taking aggressive action to ensure America's innovation industries continue creating jobs and crossing new scientific and technological frontiers that will lead to solutions for global challenges. 

The ball will soon be in the Senate's court to make sure that this 110th Congress is remembered for taking the necessary steps to protect America’s role as a global leader in innovation. By taking proactive measures to combat counterfeiting and piracy, Congress can demonstrate its solidarity with our talented innovators and creators, the workers whose jobs rely on innovation and the consumers who deserve safe and effective products. It will also send an important message that IP theft will not be tolerated.

Counterfeiting and piracy are a global epidemic which cost the U.S. economy $250 billion annually and have led to the loss of more than 750,000 jobs. Affecting every American community, counterfeiting and piracy endanger public health and safety, while costing federal, state, and local governments much-needed tax revenue for vital community projects. Find out more at the Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center which is working around the world to champion IP as a vital engine of global development, growth, and human progress.