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USPTO, U.S. Chamber Team with NC Secretary of State to Educate Local Businesses about the Risks of Counterfeiting and Piracy and the Importance of Intellectual Property Protection Washington, D.C. —The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark (USPTO) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will team with the North Carolina Secretary of State on Wednesday, June 13, to present a free educational forum and news conference that will highlight the growing threats of counterfeiting and piracy, while also providing information on how businesses can protect and enforce their own intellectual property rights in the U.S. and overseas.  Small businesses, which represent 98% of employer firms in the state of North Carolina*, are most at risk for counterfeiting and piracy because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to combat these problems. Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, will discuss the risks and impacts of counterfeiting and piracy and how businesses can mitigate those risks by making intellectual property protection part of their business plan.  Dudas will also highlight U.S. government resources that are available to help businesses protect their intellectual property rights. WHAT Free educational forum to educate businesses about the threats of counterfeiting and piracy and how to protect their intellectual property. WHO Featured speakers to include: Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall George E. B. Holding, United States Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice. Brian Monks, Vice President, Anti-Counterfeiting Operations, Underwriters Laboratories Rob Calia, Senior Manager, Global Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Initiative, U.S. Chamber of Commerce WHEN Wednesday, June 13, 2007 News Conference 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Educational Forum 9:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m. WHERE McKimmon Conference and Training Center North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695 There is no charge to attend this event. Lunch will be provided. Media who would like more information or wish to RSVP for the event should email Jennifer.Rankin_Byrne@uspto.gov or call 571-272-8400.