Senators Push USTR to Ensure Just IPR Practices in Panama
After Panama’s Supreme Court ordered Bridgestone to pay $5.4 million in fines following the company’s challenge of a trademark application in the country, Ohio Sens. Rob Portman (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) pushed U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to ensure…
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Bridgestone can seek an appropriate remedy. A Sept. 30 letter from Portman and Brown also expresses concern about whether Panama’s punitive approach could result in similar responses to other companies’ efforts to protect intellectual property rights (here). “Companies and their workers should not be punished for acting consistently with the law,” Portman said in a statement. “The Administration has a duty to protect Bridgestone and its workers by ensuring that this fine does not stand."