Dear Chancellor
12 years ago I nearly lost my business and livelihood in the creative industries as a result of repeated IP infringement. Today I am now Chief Executive of an organisation, ACID (Anti Copying in Design), which helps 1000+ design led companies within the UK to protect, exploit and commercialise the Intellectual Property they create.
WIPO Day 2010 will also see the start of a new and ongoing campaign launched by ACID (Anti Copying in Design) to encourage UK PLC's to include the respect for intellectual property (IP) in their Corporate Social Responsibility commitments. As a result of the pioneers and campaigners, many PLCs now focus on ethical issues - human rights, sustainability, the environment, employee welfare, etc., but all too often the communication of high ethical standards and respect for IP do not get a mention. A simple statement such as, "(name of company) respects the intellectual property rights of other companies and individuals" would go a long way to ensure that UK innovators and creators could rely on the knowledge that they could trade with ethical companies who demonstrate a commitment to encourage respect for IP. According to the British Library and IP Centre 79% of users prefer to work with companies who have ethical standards.
The economy will play a central role in the election campaign and future Chancellors must show how they will stimulate recovery from the longest recession in modern times. Tax, financial regulation and public spending policy will be at the top of the agenda. However, another effective way to foster the green shoots of recovery is by innovation, creativity and a knowledge economy encouraging collaborative use of IP, safe from the threats of infringement. Key UK PLCs who take the important step of declaring their positive policy on intellectual property within their CSR will compel other market leaders to follow suit and, hopefully, it will become a "must have" for ethical trading inclusion. After all, in tough economic times it will be the knowledge economy and the encouragement of innovation and creativity which will be a significant stamp in the passport to economic recovery. Currently the UK Creative Industries contribute 8.2% to the UK's GDP.
Commenting on the World Intellectual Property Organisation(WIPO) Day's theme of Innovation linking the world, Francis Gurry said, "Rapid innovation and its global adoption has transformed our outlook. We are now linked - physically, intellectually, socially and culturally - in ways that were impossible to imagine. This universal connectivity, sustained by the Web and wireless technology, has huge implications for the future. With the 'death of distance' we are no longer limited by physical location - and the benefits are legion. Innovative technologies are creating a truly global society. WIPO is dedicated to ensuring that the intellectual property system continues to serve its most fundamental purpose of encouraging innovation and creativity; and that the benefits of the system are accessible to all - helping to bring the world closer."
I do hope that amongst the many challenges a new chancellor will have to juggle to re-ignite the economy will be a simple Government endorsement to encourage key UK PLCs to include respect for intellectual property within Corporate Social Responsibility. Others will follow suit.
Yours sincerely
Dids Macdonald
CEO ACID (Anti Copying in Design)
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