WASHINGTON (Dec. 13, 2004) — The Bush administration is slated to appoint an intellectual property czar to oversee the nation's response to patent and trademark piracy, as directed by the recently passed omnibus spending bill.
There is no indication when the appointment will be made, or in which government agency the czar will reside, said Brian Duggan, director of international affairs for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. But MEMA welcomes the move in a business climate where counterfeit brakes, tires, belts and other parts cost the global automotive parts industry $12 billion annually, he added.
Whoever is appointed to the post will coordinate international intellectual property enforcement and lead the already existing National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council.