Washington, D.C., Sep. 15, 2005 - The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) commended Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) today for introducing anti-counterfeiting legislation that will improve the landscape for U.S. intellectual property rights.

"As EIA noted in its policy playbook last year, patent and copyright enforcement must be a high priority for the U.S. if we are to maintain our competitive edge in a global marketplace that accelerates both innovation and intellectual property rights infringement," EIA President Dave McCurdy said in reaction to yesterday's introduction of the "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act" (S. 1699), a companion bill to legislation (H.R. 32) sponsored by Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and passed by the House in May. "When Congress, the President, the U.S. Trade Representative and other government officials advocate legislation that improves our enforcement capabilities, our trading partners are more likely to cooperate. Legislation such as the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act can provide America with the tools to fight intellectual property that reduce piracy and send the signal that the U.S. is serious about its intent to rid international trade of counterfeiting and intellectual property theft."

For more information on EIA's intellectual property protections policy recommendations and other proposals to bolster innovation in the U.S., download EIA's Innovation Playbook at: http://www.eia.org/docs/innovation_playbook.pdf

About EIA: The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is the leading advocate in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. high-tech industry. The Alliance, which traces its origins to the Radio Manufacturers Association (chartered in 1924), is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies whose mission is to promote the market development and competitiveness of the $400 billion U.S. high-tech and electronics industries through domestic and international policy efforts. EIA's corporate members - nearly 1,300 - provide products and services ranging from microscopic electronic components to state-of-the-art defense, space and industry high-tech systems, as well as the full range of telecommunications and consumer electronics products. Headquartered in Arlington, Va., the Alliance is made up of the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association (ECA); the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA); JEDEC; the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); and leading consumer electronics companies who participate in EIA's Environmental Issues Council. EIA is also heavily involved in cyber security issues through the Internet Security Alliance (ISAlliance), and education issues, through the National Science & Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP).