Intellectual Property Enforcement
The Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement (IPE) promotes American and global innovation by advocating for the effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) around the world. The IPE team works closely with economic officers at the State Department's embassies, consulates, and missions to ensure that the interests of American right holders are represented overseas, and to highlight the integral role of IPR protection in the development of the global economy.
IPE leads the U.S. government's innovation and intellectual property related initiatives in the G8 and the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED); engages in IPR negotiations in the world's international organizations; oversees the distribution of training and technical assistance funds to help developing countries build IPR law enforcement capacity; and undertakes public diplomacy programs to generate awareness of the importance of IPR protection. IPE also actively participates in interagency efforts to strengthen the fight against trade in counterfeit and pirated goods worldwide, including Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!).
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| Office Director: | Robert M. Watts |
| Contact Info: | Email: wattsrm@state.gov |
| Phone: (202) 647-3985 | |
| Fax: (202) 647-1537 |
Bob Watts has been Acting Director of the Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement since May 2008, having served as Deputy Director since 2006. A career Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Watts has served overseas in Portugal, Brazil, Peru, Canada and most recently in Uzbekistan as the Regional Environment, Science and Technology Officer for Central Asia. Mr. Watts served several tours in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs prior to his tour in IPE, working on energy, agricultural trade, investment, and communications and information policy. Mr. Watts earned degrees from Stanford University (M.A.), Columbia University (Masters of International Affairs), and New College of Florida (B.A.).
Intellectual Property and Innovation
Intellectual Property (IP) is essential to fostering innovation and helping us meet challenges of today and tomorrow. Carrie LaCrosse from the IPE discusses the value of IP for agriculture, looking in particular at new plant varieties and how IP is part of the solution in addressing the issues of food security. -View Video
Press Roundtable
In celebration of both Earth Day and World Intellectual Property Day, a roundtable press panel was held on April 22, 2009, in which government, academic and private sector experts met with foreign journalists in DC and New York to discuss the important role that intellectual property plays in promoting the development of green technologies that are critical to meeting worldwide environmental and agricultural challenges. Panelists included Dr. Isi Siddiqui, Vice President of Science and & Regulatory Affairs for CropLife America; Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chair of ecoIDEA Institute, a think tank focused on clean technology innovators; and Dr. Kira Alvarez, Chief Negotiator and Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Intellectual Property Enforcement.
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