Reps. Kooiman, Steil, Palmer, Huizenga, Vander Veen and Bisbee offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 164.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to expand its efforts through the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization to ensure that the intellectual property of domestic businesses and individuals is protected.

            Whereas, Since the birth of our nation, the United States has amassed a remarkable record of creativity and discovery.  Our history is replete with the development of new goods and production methods to advance the quality of life, and we have developed a strong economy based on these discoveries; and

            Whereas, Members of the manufacturing industry have cited a number of examples where companies in other nations have been infringing upon intellectual property rights.  This has resulted in financial losses and further exacerbated the challenges faced by our manufacturers; and

            Whereas, The World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization implemented a set of standards and principles outlining how international intellectual property rights should be applied and how to settle disputes between members of the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization; and

            Whereas, The United States can defend the intellectual property rights of domestic business through the procedures established by the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization; and

            Whereas, To ensure a vibrant economic recovery in Michigan, our businesses and entrepreneurs must be secure in their intellectual property, for it is through these innovations that companies build their economic strength and maintain their competitiveness; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to expand its efforts through the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization to ensure that the intellectual property of domestic businesses and individuals is protected and that actions are taken against those countries that violate the World Trade Organization and World Intellectual Property Organization standards; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States of America, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the United States Secretary of Commerce, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property in the United States Patent and Trade Office, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.