AUTHOR: ______________ TITLE: Dissent in the Ranks: Apple joins PG&E, Nike, and others in parting ways with US Chamber DATE: 10/07/2009 01:58:00 PM ----- BODY:
The US Chamber of Commerce, the largest trade organization in the US, is facing increasing dissent and desertion from its former members over the US Chamber's position on Climate Change policy. In parting ways, Apple's VP of Government Affairs wrote, “we strongly object to the Chamber’s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.’s effort to limit greenhouse gases." Apple joins another high-profile brand, Nike, in parting ways with the Chamber. Even more shocking, however, was the resignation of large utility corpoations - PG&E, Excelon, and PNM Resources - from the ranks of the US Chamber. Apple has recently been promoting it computers as being more environmentally friendly than the competition. Its website now includes a "life-cycle impact" section. The US Chamber of Commerce has been strongly critical of both the EPA's use of existing legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions, as well as proposed Climate Change legislation such as the Waxman-Markey bill. Internationally, the US Chamber has supplemented its existing Global Intellectual Property Center with The Coalition for Innovation, Employment and Development (http://www.thecied.org/). All three entities are pushing for a solution to the climate change problem that relies on innovation and technology development, complemented by a stronger global IPR regime. In particular, the US Chamber and its associated programs are arguing against compulsory licensing and other flexibilities of the TRIPS Agreement, which they contend presents a significant disincentive for current and future innovation in technology. Whether any members of the US Chamber disagree with this position is not yet clear, but perhaps the dialogue over domestic climate change policy will help to flush-out private disagreement(s) over innovation policy as well.

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