TORONTO — The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is spearheading a drive to tighten Canada's protection of intellectual property.

The new Canadian Intellectual Property Council is pressing the case that harsher action against violators of copyright and trademark rights is needed to protect innovation and Canadian competitiveness.

"It is essential that the federal government strengthen the current legislative framework by clearly stipulating trademark counterfeiting as a specific criminal offence under the Trademarks Act; amending the Criminal Code to criminalize intentional possession of counterfeit goods for the purpose of sale; imposing severe penalties to deter offenders and allow police to seize income and property derived from copyright piracy," stated Perrin Beatty, a former Conservative federal cabinet minister who now is president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Beatty added that it's also "imperative for the government to introduce long-anticipated copyright legislation and implement the World Intellectual Property Organization treaties that will bring Canada's Internet rules up to international standards."

The coalition's members include Cisco Systems, Imperial Tobacco, Louis Vuitton, Pfizer Canada, GE Canada and organizations representing the pharmaceutical, movie and recording industries.