Cairo Jennings is the intellectual property (IP) attaché for Mercosur – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Based in Rio de Janeiro, he is the principal officer within U.S. embassies and consulates in the region on matters related to the protection and enforcement of IP rights.
Mr. Jennings works closely with U.S. businesses on promoting and protecting their IP interests in the region. He advises and coordinates with U.S. government agencies and foreign government counterparts to promote U.S. IP policy, secure high IP standards in laws and trade agreements, and conduct training and public awareness programs on IP matters.
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Jennings was a Senior Counsel for International Trade in the Office of Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCCIC) in the U.S. Department of Commerce. As Senior Counsel, he provided legal counsel on matters relating to IP, standards, good regulatory practices, competition, and industry engagement. He also represented the Department of Commerce as part of international trade negotiations. Before joining OCCIC, Mr. Jennings was a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State with postings to diplomatic missions in North Africa and South America.
During his government service, Mr. Jennings has received several commendations, including the Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award, the Franklin Award, and the Department of Commerce’s Distinguished Attorney Award.
Mr. Jennings joined the public sector with nearly a decade of experience as an IP attorney in private practice. He assisted clients with the protection and enforcement of their global portfolios of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Mr. Jennings received both a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a registered patent practitioner and a member of the State Bar of Texas.
About the USPTO and OPIA
Aside from the issuance of patents and registration of trademarks, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a statutory mandate to advise the President and all federal agencies, through the Secretary of Commerce, on national and international intellectual property (IP) policy issues, including IP protection in other countries. In addition, the USPTO is authorized by statute to provide guidance, conduct programs and studies, and interact with IP offices worldwide—and with international intergovernmental organizations—on matters involving IP.
The OPIA (Office of Policy and International Affairs) fulfills this mandate by leading negotiations on behalf of the United States at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); advising the Administration on the negotiation and implementation of the IP provisions of international trade agreements; advising the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on a full range of IP policy matters, including in the areas of patent, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets; conducting empirical research on IP; and providing educational programs on the protection, use, and enforcement of IP.