Training & Education

• History
• Mission
• Program Summary
• Related Links
• Program Schedule

History of the Global Intellectual Property Academy:

In 1985, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) began a Visiting Scholar Program, through which foreign government officials dedicated to the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) could attend lectures on the numerous related topics related to patents, trademarks, copyrights and IPR enforcement. The program was created to help countries around the world improve their intellectual property (IP) programs and services by training with experts in the United States. The purpose of the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 (AIPA) (Pub. L. 106-113) created the foundation for USPTO to become a guiding force in both national and international IP policy issues. The AIPA enabled the USPTO to advise the President, through the Secretary of Commerce and all Federal agencies on policy matters, including IP protection in other countries. This act also authorizes the USPTO to offer guidance, conduct programs and studies, and to coordinate with foreign IP offices and international organizations on issues concerning IP protection. The Office of International Property Policy Enforcement fulfills the various responsibilities created by the AIPA including training foreign IP officials on IP administration and enforcement.

On September 21, 2005, U.S. Secretary, Carlos M. Gutierrez announced new administration initiatives to fight intellectual property theft. Key components of the plan included appointment of IPR experts in countries abroad, a new Small Business Outreach program to educate business owners in the United States about protection of their IP rights, and a new Global Intellectual Property Academy.

“The protection of intellectual property is vital to our economic growth and global competitiveness and it has major consequences in our ongoing effort to promote security and stability around the world. The Bush administration is committed to stopping trade in pirated and counterfeit goods. Theft of intellectual property is not tolerated and will not be tolerated.”

-Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez-

The Global Intellectual Property facility, located in the USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia is instrumental in achieving the objectives of halting intellectual property theft and advancing IPR policies.

The new Global IP Academy provides more in-depth study of the various IP disciplines, and courses, and a new dedicated facility that is equipped to efficiently deliver the programs and meetings of international visitors.