Lights, Camera, Action!

 

The U.S. Chamber rolled out the red carpet in Washington, D.C., on April 1 and in New York City on April 7 for the world premiere of its first movie-Illicit: The Dark Trade, created in partnership with National Geographic. This 60-minute movie examines the significant personal, economic, and social consequences of intellectual property (IP) theft.

 

The movie begins airing on PBS on April 16 (check your local listings) and is based on Dr. Moisés Naím's best-selling book Illicit, which links IP theft to other illicit activities around the world, including arms and human trafficking, terrorism, child labor, and drug trade. The global value of this "dark trade" is estimated to be as much as $3 trillion and accounts for as much as 10% of the world's trade.

 

According to David Hirschmann, president and CEO of the Chamber's Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC), "IP theft is not a victimless crime. Real criminal networks threaten American jobs, economic security, and the health and safety of people in the United States and around the world."

 

The Chamber is putting money, people, research, programs, and strong political action around a sustained, long-term campaign to protect and defend IP and innovation worldwide. The mission of the GIPC is to champion IP as a vital engine of global development, growth, and human progress and to turn the tide of the increasing IP theft crime wave.

 

To learn more and to become involved, please visit www.thetruecosts.org/.