Intellectual Property

Task Force Report No. 70

Defending an Open, Global, Secure, and Resilient Internet

The CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force report, Defending an Open, Global, Secure, and Resilient Internet, finds that as more people and services become interconnected and dependent on the Internet, societies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. To support security, innovation, growth, and the free flow of information, the Task Force recommends that the United States and its partners work to build a cyber alliance, make the free flow of information a part of all future trade agreements, and articulate an inclusive and robust vision of Internet governance.

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Primary Sources

Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property (The IP Commission) Report, May 2013

The Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property (The IP Commission), with members from the "private sector and public service in national security and foreign affairs, academe, and politics," released its report on May 22, 2013. The Commission addresses theft by cyber means and pinpoints China as a main concern.

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Primary Sources

Obama Administration: Mitigating the Theft of the U.S. Trade Secrets, February 2013

Representatives from U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, State, Treasury, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative collaborated to create this strategy, addressing threats to the intellectual property and innovation of the U.S. economy.

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Primary Sources

House Resolution 3782, Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN)

Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Darrell Issa proposed on January 18, 2012, the Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN) as an alternative for SOPA and PIPA, two Congressional bills related to intellectural property online that opponents said compromised free speech, innovation, access to information online, and the infrastructure of the Internet.

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Primary Sources

House Resolution 3261 Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)

U.S. Representative Lamar Smith introduced the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) on October 26, 2011; the Senate proposed a related bill, PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). SOPA's full title states that its aim is "to promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes." Opponents of the bills state that they will restrict free speech, innovation, and access to online information and proposed Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN Act).

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Primary Sources

Senate Resolution 968, PROTECT IP Act (PIPA)

Senator Patrick Leahy introduced PROTECT IP Act (Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act (PIPA)) on May 12, 2011; the House introduced a similar bill, SOPA, on October 26, 2011. PIPA's goal is to prevent access to "rogue websites dedicated to the sale of infringing or counterfeit goods." Opponents of the bills state that they will restrict free speech, innovation, integrity of online infrastructure, and access to online information and proposed Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN Act).

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Other Report
Renewing America

Renewing America

Energy Innovation

Authors: Michael A. Levi, Elizabeth C. Economy, Shannon K. O'Neil, and Adam Segal

This study examines low-carbon technology innovation and absorption in China, India, and Brazil. It recommends a course for U.S. policy that promotes accelerated innovation and adoption of new technologies while protecting U.S. commercial interests.

See more in United States, Brazil, China, India, Emerging Markets, Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer, Energy

Primary Sources

Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was signed by Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States in October 2011, and in January 2012 by the EU and 22 EU member states. The treaty will come into force after ratification by six countries. The treaty regards standards for enforcement of intellectual property rights.

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Academic Module

Academic Module: Reforming U.S. Patent Policy

Author: Keith E. Maskus

This module features teaching notes for Reforming U.S. Patent Policy: Getting the Incentives Right by author Keith E. Maskus, along with other resources to supplement the text. This Council Special Report acknowledges the importance of patent protection for innovation but also warns against blind adherence to the mantra that more protection will necessarily produce more innovation.

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