(Washington D.C.)- The United States Trade Representative today announced the filing of a formal complaint against China within the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the inadequate market access for American goods and Chinese enforcement of intellectual property rights.  House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) issued the following statement today in response:
 
"Today's announcement is welcomed, but long overdue.  No country in the world has done more to undermine American intellectual property than China, and yet we have not held them accountable to the rules of trade.  Congressional Democrats have long sought action like this from the Administration.  Active enforcement must be a consistent part of American trade policy and practice, not a response to pressure.

"American workers and businesses lose nearly $3 billion each year to Chinese copyright infringement in addition to the cost of massive trademark violations. The Administration needs to follow up on today's announcement to challenge and eliminate all of China's theft, piracy and open their markets to genuine American goods. This is an important part of making vital expanded trade a two-way street."

Congressional Democrats have repeatedly urged the Administration to take a tougher stance against the piracy of American intellectual property, especially in China.  In an October 12, 2006 letter to President Bush, and in many other listed communications to the Administration, the Democratic leadership and Ways and Means Committee members asked the Administration to immediately file a challenge in the WTO to combat China's "flagrant abuse of international rules governing intellectual property rights."

Summary of Chinese intellectual property violations:

-- Nearly 90 percent of all American software is pirated at an annual cost of more than $2 billion to the US economy.
-- Total copyright losses reach nearly $3 billion per year.
-- The U.S. automobile industry loses $12 billion each year due to counterfeit automotive parts production, of which China is a leading violator.  

Past Democratic Statements on China IPR:

2007 Democratic NTE Letter, March 2007
Chairman Rangel, Mr. Levin, and 10 other House Democrats cited Chinese IPR violations in their response to the Administration's NTE report.

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=502

Letter to President on 2006 Trade Deficit, February 13, 2007
Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Rangel, Mr. Levin, and 10 other Democrats call for a WTO IPR case against China as one action the Administration can take to reduce the trade deficit.

Click here to view.

Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Hearing on China - panel on IPR, February 15, 2007
         
Click here to view.

Letter to President Bush Calling for Action on Intellectual Property Rights, October 12, 2006
Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Levin, and nine other Democrats singled out China in a letter calling for more aggressive IPR enforcement.

Letter to President Bush Calling for Action on China Trade Policy, April 19, 2006
Mr. Rangel, Mr. Levin, and 10 other Democrats describe China as flaunting international trade rules by not enforcing IPR. 

Click here to view.

2006 Democratic NTE Letter, March 2006
Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Levin, and 12 other House Democrats cited Chinese IPR violations in their response to the Administration?s NTE report.

2005 Democratic NTE Letter, March 2005
Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Levin, and eight other House Democrats cited Chinese IPR violations in their response to the Administration's NTE report.

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