Ottawa, April 26, 2011-Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, through the Canadian Intellectual Property Council (CIPC), celebrates World Intellectual Property Day. This year’s theme is “Designing the Future.”

“Today is World Intellectual Property Day and we at the Canadian Chamber observe the significance of IP for Canadians,” says Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “We also take this opportunity to remind the Canadian government of the importance of increasing the protection of IP rights, without which the livelihoods of Canadians businesses would be put at risk.”

The CIPC has been leading the charge for greater awareness and protection of intellectual property (IP) rights in Canada. One of its objectives is to increase public understanding of what IP really means, and to demonstrate how the IP system fosters not only music, arts and entertainment, but also all the products and technological innovations that help to shape our world.

“It is essential that the Canadian government adopt policies that will strengthen data protection measures and stimulate Canada’s knowledge-based economy to attract investment and allow Canadian businesses to grow and flourish,” says Beatty. “The government must also take the necessary action to protect Canadian consumers from the dangers of counterfeit goods, which in some cases have been linked to organized crime and have led to serious illness and death.”

Most people are aware of intellectual property-of copyright, patents, industrial designs and trademarks. But many still view these as business or legal concepts with little relevance to their own lives. To address this gap, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Member States decided in 2000 to designate an annual World Intellectual Property Day. They chose April 26, the date on which the Convention establishing WIPO originally entered into force in 1970.

In light of the election, the Canadian IP Council has decided to publish an IP Report Card in which the IP policies of the political parties are marked. We encourage you to read this report and learn more about the various party positions on intellectual property.

CIPC and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
The Canadian Intellectual Property Council (CIPC) is a coalition of business groups working together under the banner of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to improve Canada’s economic competiveness by ensuring the adoption of world-class intellectual property protection.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 420 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 192,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. News and information are available at www.chamber.ca or follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.

Contact:
Émilie S. Potvin, Director, Public Affairs
Cell: 613.797.1860
epotvin@chamber.ca

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