FICC: intellectual property violations in 2005 cost Israeli industry $500m

The Intellectual Property forum which consists of organizations such as BSA and Pharma Israel had called for the establishment of a ministerial committee to formulate national guidelines for all Government ministries
 
Report published last week by Israel's Intellectual Property Forum and the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce show that in 2005 Israeli companies lost $500 million from intellectual property violations, and that the state lost $91 million in revenue.
 
This year’s losses, according to the report, are believed to be very similar.
 
The report noted that the damage estimate did not take into account losses to companies from copyright and patent violations.
 
Chambers of Commerce president Uriel Lynn said in the press conference held on the occasion of the report's release that, “The violation of intellectual property is one of the most shameful and harmful phenomena in Israel. It has become a plague that threatens Israel’s world economic status.”
 
Lynn added that US administration listed Israel among one of 13 countries on its priority watch list for violating intellectual property rights.
 
The Intellectual Property forum which consists of organizations such as BSA (Business Software Alliance - Israel) Pharma Israel, Federation for the Protection of Records and Tapes had called for the establishment of a ministerial committee, headed by the Minister of Justice, to formulate national guidelines for all Government ministries in order to streamline intellectual property legislation, protection, enforcement and education.