Remarks of Ambassador King
Patent Cooperation Ceremony (PCT)
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Geneva, Switzerland
April 14, 2011
AMBASSADOR KING: Director General Gurry, distinguished guests, thank you all for participating in this auspicious event.
Most of you here already are aware of the long history of WIPO and its role in protecting patents around the world, in particular through the Patent Cooperation Treaty. WIPO has helped creators and inventors throughout the world advance human knowledge and well-being. Over the last few decades, we have seen more technological advancements than at any point in history.
I am of course quite pleased that a company which has its roots in the United States is being honored for filing the 2 millionth international patent application with the PCT. Qualcomm is not just a well-recognized American firm, but its history, of being founded in the home of an engineer in California, shares the grand storyline of many other start-up technology companies. These companies flourish in our free enterprise system, with our approach to the protection of intellectual property rights.
The current U.S. Administration remains committed to encouraging innovation that leads to improved economic prosperity and job growth. Our Strategy for Innovation recognizes the essential role of innovation in our past and future prosperity, the central importance of the private sector as the engine of innovation, and the role of government in supporting our innovation system. We are looking to innovators to help with the most serious challenges we face, including clean energy, climate change and health care. As President Obama has said, “Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash American innovation and seize control of our own destiny.”
But of course, I am also aware that Qualcomm is now not just an American company, but a company with global operations. Likewise, I know that while the 2 million PCT filings to date do include many American inventions, many others are from all over the world. Most important perhaps, the challenges we face are global challenges, requiring global solutions.
It is therefore my pleasure to applaud today the accomplishments of those gathered here, which has led to this 2 million PCT milestone, both those from the private sector as well as the public. And while we appreciate the good news today, we have to keep the momentum going. So, I hope it is my destiny to be invited back quite soon, to commemorate the next 2 million PCT milestone. Thank you.