US Mission Geneva

Ambassador King made remarks at the World Intellection Property Organization to mark Qualcomm, a leading American technology firm, filing the 2 Millionth Patent Application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

The United States places technology and innovation at the forefront of our diplomatic and development efforts, not least because innovation continues to drive economic growth and job creation in Seattle and across the United States. That’s why emphasize the importance internationally and multilaterally of intellectual property laws – protecting patents, copyrights, and trademarks – which are essential for fostering innovation and creativity and contribute to American competitiveness and our economic well-being.

Transcript of statements by David Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Sharon Barner, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

WIPO’s ongoing strategic re-alignment (SRP) process has worked to reform the Organization’s programs, resources and structures with a new set of strategic goals. These have enabled WIPO to respond more effectively to the rapidly evolving technological, cultural and geo-economic environment, as well as to respond to the urgent global challenges of today, which IP can have a role in addressing.

The U.S. proposal is designed to provide greater certainty in international copyright law. “We are pleased to be offering a proposal to establish clear, definite norms for the cross-border sharing of special format copies,” according to Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property David Kappos.

“In many ways, creativity and innovation are the engines of the American economy. At USTR, it is our mission to ensure that American workers, businesses, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs are able to sell their goods and services in a global market place that allows Americans to compete on an equal footing.

Today, because of advances in technology and falling trade barriers, information and ideas circle the globe faster and more freely than ever. But these same trends have also increased intellectual piracy, from illegal file downloads to bootleg recordings to counterfeit products.

Ambassador Tichenor, accompanied by Lynne Beresford, Commissioner of Trademarks of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), deposited the U.S. instruments of ratification for the Singapore Trademark Law Treaty on October 1, 2008 with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Francis Gurry. The U.S. is the 8th Member State to have ratified the Treaty.

We meet at an hour of great promise and hope. For before us is great promise for WIPO and all who are dedicated to its success and hope that the divisions of the past can be left behind as we unite in a common cause in pursuit of a brighter future for this vital organization and all who rely on it. We observe today not a victory of one candidate but a new chapter of progress for the World Intellectual Property Organization, marking an end as well as a new beginning, bringing with it change as well as renewal. For it is in our hands, Member States, the new DG, the Secretariat, WIPO staff, and all the relevant stakeholders to build together the World Intellectual Property Organization we seek and need in the 21st Century. The mantle of leadership has been passed and together, we are well able to assure success in this endeavor.