New USTR/RIAA Coalition Aims To Draft IP Legislation

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick and top lawmakers including Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, will join with the RIAA, the Motion Picture Assn. of America, and other entertainment trade groups today to announce the Entertainment Industry Coalition (EIC). According to sources, EIC plans to support lawmakers in crafting intellectual property (IP) protection language to be included in pending free-trade treaties with Singapore and Chile, both cited in the past by USTR as countries with serious piracy problems. The coalition hopes such language will be a model for future free-trade agreements with other nations.

In related news, the RIAA has named Joe Papovich, a former senior official with the USTR, as senior VP of international. He will work to "strengthen" copyright laws and enforcement around the world. In his most recent post as assistant USTR for services, investment, and IP, Papovich crafted trade policies and worked on the government's "Special 301" assessment, which designates countries that fail to adequately protect IP rights. In his new post, based in Washington, D.C., he reports to RIAA executive VP of international Neil Turkewitz.