Commercial Law Development Program

Overview
The Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) improves the legal environment for U.S. businesses worldwide by removing non-tariff barriers to trade and ensuring effective implementation of intellectual property policies and enforcement provisions. CLDP programs level the playing field for U.S. industries to compete in developing markets and provide follow-up support to countries that have limited capacity to implement some provisions of trade agreements entered into with the United States.

Although CLDP technical assistance is largely government-to-government, each program is designed to address a pressing need identified by both local and U.S. businesses. CLDP partners with other offices within the Department of Commerce (including the USPTO, ITA and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)), as well as DHS, DOJ, DOS/USAID to provide capacity building and enforcement technical assistance in developing countries.

CLDP's intellectual property work with host countries covers drafting legislation, establishing regulations, increasing skills development, promoting public outreach and ensuring transparency. Many programs address needs across regions by gathering judiciaries, policymakers and regulators from multiple countries to share best practices and develop workable solutions to regional problems related to counterfeiting and piracy.

CLDP's intellectual property work over the years has led to the development of a small library of case studies in a multitude of languages that include technology transfer, licensing and border measures. These materials, frequently shared with other U.S. Government partners, are essential learning tools for developing countries looking to improve intellectual property enforcement

Source

 * 2010 Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement, at 25-26.