The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); the U.S Copyright Office; Rep. Darrell Issa, Chair of the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet; and representatives from USPTO partner organizations, observed World IP Day 2024 on Wednesday, May 1 at 4 p.m. ET, at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C.
World Intellectual Property Day is an annual commemoration around the world to celebrate the importance of intellectual property (IP) rights as drivers of innovation and creativity.
The theme of the 2024 celebration was IP and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or “IP and the SDGs – IP as a Solution.” The 17 SDGs, which include goals such as affordable and clean energy, climate action, and gender equality, are a blueprint for people, peace, prosperity, and our planet. Participants discussed progress on achieving these goals and the critical role IP protection plays in this achievement.
A video recording of this event is now available.
Agenda
The agenda is subject to change. All times below are in eastern time (ET).
4:00-4:15 p.m. Welcome and introductions
Introductions by Vincent E. Garlock, Executive Director, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Welcome remarks
- Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director, USPTO
- Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director, U.S. Copyright Office
Introduction of Congressional Speakers
- Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) (invited), Chairman, House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Chair, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property
- Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property
4:15-5:05 p.m. Panel discussion: IP as a Solution to Achieve SDGs – What does the data show? Green Tech, Trademarks, Business, and Economic Development (includes Q&A session)
Moderated by Brad Watts, Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Global Innovation Policy Center, and Samantha Aguayo, Deputy Executive Director, Intellectual Property Owners Association
- Marco Richter, LexisNexis, Innovation Data on the SDGs
- Steven Benjamin, Assistant Chief IP Counsel, DuPont
- Soma Saha, Patents for Humanity and Trademarks for Humanity, USPTO
- Caroline Pinkston, Senior Counsel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (tentative)
5:05-5:55 p.m. Panel discussion: IP as a Solution to Achieve SDGs – Education, Diversity, Access
Moderated by Steve Caltrider, Chair, American Bar Association IP Law Section, and Jenny Simmons, Associate Senior Director, Government Affairs, International Trademark Association
- Maggie Dressel, Head of IP Skills Work-Based Learning Program, USPTO
- Henry Hadad, President, IPO Education Foundation, Briston Myers Squibb
- Miriam Lord, Associate Register and Director of Public Information and Education, U.S. Copyright Office
- Kevin White, Global Vision 2020 – Accessibility
5:45-6:00 p.m. Closing remarks
6:00-7:00 p.m. Exhibits and reception
Participating organizations
Organizations participating in this event included American Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, Global Intellectual Property Alliance, International Trademark Association, Intellectual Property Owners Association, Licensing Executive Society, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center, U.S. Copyright Office, United States Intellectual Property Alliance and the USPTO.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.