Casey Joins Martin Guitar to Urge China to End Unfair Trade Practices

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee,

today joined C.F. Martin & Co. urging China to end unfair trade practices

that harm workers and businesses in the Lehigh Valley and around the country.

"Pennsylvania businesses are telling me that unfair trade practices by

the Chinese have harmed their ability to compete and job losses

substantiate those claims," said Senator Casey. "The lack of protection

on the part of the Chinese hurts C.F. Martin & Co. and countless other

businesses and workers. China must address intellectual property rights

infringements and currency undervaluation."

"We are greatly honored to have an ongoing relationship with Senator

Casey and we can't express in words how much we appreciate his openness

and willingness to assist us in rectifying our dilemma with respect to

protecting our valued trademark in China," said C.F. Martin IV, Chairman

and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co. "This is not an easy issue and we hope that

such a significant and caring voice will help to get positive action on

this vital and frustrating issue."

Since 2005, Martin Guitar has fought to register its mark with the

Chinese government to protect its brand and to prevent Chinese

individuals from selling counterfeit guitars.

Last month, Senator Casey sent a letter to President Obama detailing the

hardships imposed on C.F. Martin & Co. by China's unfair trade practices

and urging him to press the issue with Chinese President Hu Jintao

during his visit to Washington. In the letter, Senator Casey urged

President Obama to focus his discussions with Hu around intellectual

property rights (IPR) protections and currency valuation.

China's inadequate intellectual property protections are well

documented, the letter stated. Last April, the Office of the United

States Trade Representative placed China on its Priority Watch List,

citing China's poor level of IPR protection and enforcement.

It is estimated that 2.4 million jobs have been lost in the U.S. since

China joined the WTO in 2001; 95,700 of which were in Pennsylvania.