SIA Applauds Release of IP Enforcement Joint Strategic Plan

San Jose, CA – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today applauded the Administration’s release of the IP Enforcement Joint Strategic Plan as an important step to protect semiconductor intellectual property rights in the U.S. and around the world.

"The national IP enforcement strategic plan will help protect the hard earned fruits of America’s substantial investment in research and development" said SIA President George Scalise. “The semiconductor industry’s ability to continue to provide consumers with faster, smarter, and less expensive electronic devices depends on vigorous protection of intellectual property."

The SIA submitted extensive comments in response to the White House’s request for recommendations. “We are particularly pleased that the plan calls for increased information sharing by Customs with IP rights holders so counterfeits can be quickly identified for seizure,” continued Scalise. “Semiconductors are widely used in a number of applications, including automotive controls, medical equipment, and critical infrastructure such as air traffic control, electric grid, and financial networks. It is very important that the industry and customs work closely to seize fake semiconductors at our nation’s borders.”

“The industry looks forward to working with the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, Victoria Espinel, and her team on the implementation of the strategic plan.” concluded Scalise. In addition to the information sharing item, the enforcement action areas in which the industry expects to participate include encouraging the U.S. Government-Wide Working Group to Prevent U.S. Government Purchase of Counterfeit Products to require government agencies to purchase directly from the manufacturer or authorized sources, to assist with international capacity building and training, and to support the coordination of law enforcement agencies targeted at semiconductor counterfeits.

The SIA is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, America’s number-one export industry over the past five years. SIA seeks to continue U.S. leadership in this critical sector that employs 185,000 people in the U.S., and provides the enabling technology for America’s $1.1-trillion high-tech industries with a U.S. workforce of nearly 6 million people. More information about the SIA can be found at http://www.sia-online.org