The USPTO and its partner organizations presented a special 90-minute program to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2021. This annual international event is an opportunity to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity.
The theme of 2021's celebration was “Intellectual property and small businesses: Taking big ideas to market.” The program included two live panels: the first featured representatives of small businesses who shared their IP stories; the second focused on the resources available to assist small businesses with their IP needs.
Organizations participating in this event included the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the International Trademark Association, the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, the Intellectual Property Owners Association, the U.S. Copyright Office, Licensing Executives Society International, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Center.
World IP Day 2021: Event Recording
Agenda
Agenda
3 – 3:10 p.m.: Welcome and introductions — Moderated by Joseph R. Re, President, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA); Partner, Knobbe Martens
- Welcome remarks: Drew Hirshfeld, performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- Welcome remarks: Lisa Jorgenson, Deputy Director General for Patents and Technology, World Intellectual Property Organization
- Remarks by Members of Congress
3:10 – 4 p.m.: Panel discussions — Moderated by Frank Cullen, Vice President of U.S. Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center
3:10 – 3:40 p.m.: Small and medium-sized business success stories
- Dr. Frank Gupton, PhD, Co-Founder, Phlow™ & CEO, Medicines for All
- Joel Meyer, Executive Vice President, Innovation, Specifications and Standards, Digimarc Corporation
- Patricia A. Conner, Legal Manager, Stüssy
- John R. Sommer, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Stüssy
3:40 – 4 p.m.: The role that IP plays in supporting small and medium-sized businesses
- June Besek, Chair, American Bar Association—Intellectual Property Law Section
- Dana Robert Colarulli, Executive Director, Licensing Executives Society International
4 – 4:20 p.m.: U.S. IP offices and resources for small and medium-sized businesses — Moderated by Jennifer McDowell, Director, Government Relations, International Trademark Association
- Catherine Zaller Rowland, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education, U.S. Copyright Office
- Mary Critharis, Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs, USPTO
4:20 – 4:30 p.m.: Question-and-answer session — Moderated by Samantha Aguayo, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Policy Counsel, Intellectual Property Owners Association
4:30 p.m.: Closing remarks — Moderated by Vincent Garlock, Executive Director, AIPLA
- Closing Remarks – The Honorable Gina Raimondo, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Closing Remarks - Andrew Hirshfeld, Performing the Functions and Duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Additional information
For more information, contact Susan Hoffman in the USPTO’s Office of Governmental Affairs.
To follow additional World IP Day 2021 events and access educational resources, and to learn more about USPTO’s annual celebration, visit the USPTO World IP Day landing page.
