1) Domestic Perspective The domestic services for IP owners focus on developing and providing diagnostics to determine the IP owners’ internal protection and enforcement capabilities. In addition, GIPSC, on behalf of clients, seeks to engage both Executive and Legislative Branches of the U.S. Government. In the Executive Branch, numerous agencies are involved in monitoring progress of trading partners concerning efforts to improve the environment for IP protection, providing IP-related training, and negotiating new government-to-government agreements. The Legislative Branch is constantly introducing bills to change domestic IP laws. Recently, new IP caucuses have been formed in Congress and more committees appear to be interested in IP matters and are potential supporters of stronger domestic and international agreements. GIPSC can assist clients in identifying agencies and individuals involved in both domestic operational IP protection and enforcement and policy development positions. Both operational enforcement and policy implementation are critical components to a successful corporate IP strategy. 2) International Perspective International IP issues have proliferated in recent years. The international community’s agreement to reduce and eliminate trade barriers has resulted in increased global trade. Increased trade is linked to the need for greater vigilance against trade in counterfeit and pirate products. The increased international trade activity requires improved understanding of the importance of IP around the world. The current threat to IP assets requires constant re-evaluation of corporate enforcement programs and the ability to demonstrate the links between strong IP protection and economic development, which are not mutually exclusive as some opponents of increased enforcement may believe. Internationally, GIPSC can assist clients in a variety of ways. GIPSC can provide clients with tools to improve their understanding of foreign IP enforcement systems, identify IP initiatives that will assist clients, identify trends in enforcement that can be pursued in foreign markets, engage foreign officials on clients’ behalf and develop enforcement training and education programs for clients to be delivered either to internal staff or to foreign officials. © 2005 Global Intellectual Property Strategy Center, P.C
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