Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise in support of the resolution of ratification of two treaties that are of unsurpassed importance to America's prospects in the global economy of the 21st century. But they are critically important treaties. Every country that ratifies these treaties is required to update its laws against the piracy of copyrighted materials, and to extend those laws to the electronic commerce marketplace epitomized by the Internet. That outcome will be great news for Ohioans, and for all Americans.
American creativity is the envy of the world today.
Our music, movies, computer software, video games and published materials are in great demand in almost every country in the world. No wonder studies show that the creative industries are one of most dynamic sectors of our economy, accounting for some 3.5 million U.S. jobs. The greatest single threat to this economic success story is piracy. New technology heightens this threat. That's where these two new treaties come in.