[A2k] Media WIPO Alert 24: WIPO to Host Global Anti Counterfeiting and Piracy Meeting

[Robin Gross]

And yet WIPO claims it doesn't represent big business:

"The [WIPO Global] Congress is being held with the support and
cooperation of a number of international business organizations, namely,
the Global Business Leaders Alliance Against Counterfeiting (GBLAAC),
the International Trademarks Association (INTA), the International
Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Security Management
Association (ISMA)."

Robin



      WIPO TO HOST GLOBAL ANTI COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY MEETING

The Third Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy,
convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO), will be held in
Geneva on January 30 and 31, 2007 under the banner "Shared
Challenges-Common Goals." The Congress is being held with the support
and cooperation of a number of international business organizations,
namely, the Global Business Leaders Alliance Against Counterfeiting
(GBLAAC), the International Trademarks Association (INTA), the
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Security
Management Association (ISMA). Full details are available at
http://www.ccapcongress.net.

The Global Congress has become a key international forum for addressing
the transnational nature of trade in counterfeit and pirated goods, for
shaping practical enforcement strategies and developing and implementing
international recommendations and programs to combat this illegal trade
which threatens economic development, consumers=92 health and safety, and
good governance.

The Third Global Congress aims to build on the process that began with
the first such event in Brussels in 2004, bringing together top
government and private sector representatives to pool their experience,
enhance international coordination and cooperation and seek more
effective solutions in pursuit of the common goal of ending the global
trade in counterfeit and pirated goods.

A number of high level officials are expected to address the meeting,
including heads of government, top officials of the convening
organizations, key business leaders and industry organizations.
Participants will include government ministers and policy-makers,
business leaders, senior law enforcement officials, judges, stakeholders
from non-governmental organizations and industry groups.

Over 500 participants from around the world have participated in
previous Global Congresses. The first one was held in Brussels in 2004
which is home to the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Second
Global Congress in 2005 was held in Lyon where Interpol is
headquartered. The meetings have provided a valuable forum for
representatives from both the public and private sectors to raise
awareness, enhance cooperation and identify strategies to deal more
effectively with the global problem of counterfeiting and piracy.

Journalists wishing to cover this event are invited to refer to the
guidelines for media accreditation at
_http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/accreditation/
<www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/accreditation/>_. Accreditation forms
(_http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/accreditation/form.html
<www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/accreditation/form.html>)_, with supporting
documentation, must be sent to the Media Relations and Public Affairs
Section at WIPO: Fax: +4122-338 8280. For further information please
contact Tel: + 41 22 338 8161 or 338 9547; e-mail: publicinf@wipo.int
<mailto:publicinf@wipo.int>.