GIPC Speaker Series
The GIPC Speaker Series provides a platform to raise awareness, understanding, and support for the value of intellectual property-among policymakers, congressional leaders, members of the media, as well as the general public. The series also highlights the critical role IP rights play in spurring innovation, creating jobs, driving America's economic growth and competitiveness, and protecting consumers from substandard or counterfeit products. Speakers represent a variety of experiences, industries, and policy perspectives.
PAST EVENTS:
November 9, 2010: Recent Successes and the Future of IP Enforcement
On November 9, the GIPC hosted its last Speaker Series event of 2010, focusing on a discussion of the successes of intellectual property (IP) enforcement in the past year and future plans to crack down on counterfeiting and piracy in the upcoming year. The event was highlighted by a keynote address by John Morton (pictured below), Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In commemorating Director Morton and ICE's accomplishments this year, the GIPC presented Morton with an award for his steadfast commitment to IP enforcement. The event also featured a keynote address by Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who discussed IP enforcement from the perspective of state law enforcement. General Gansler noted that he expects state attorneys general to become increasingly involved with anti-counterfeiting and piracy efforts, especially as it relates to enforcement of intellectual property rights online. General Gansler's presentation was followed by a panel discussion of industry representatives including: David Green (NBC Universal), Kenneth Klug (Louis Vuitton), Carlos Linares (RIAA), Patrick Ford (Pfizer), and Brian Monks (Underwriters Laboratories).
- To view a video of the event, please click here.
September 22, 2010: Assistant Secretary of Commerce John Fernandez
On September 22, the GIPC Speaker Series hosted Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. At the event, the Assistant Secretary emphasized the Obama Administration's commitment to fostering American innovation and competitiveness in the global market. He discussed the National Innovation Strategy, a plan that "encourages regional economic transformation through science, innovation, technology, commercialization, and entrepreneurship." He also highlighted the Obama Administration's Jobs and Innovation Partnership, an EDA-led initiative that helps build ecosystems where the private sector can help foster innovation product commercialization regionally, driving economic growth and creating jobs for America.
July 21, 2010: Chief Judge (Ret.) Paul R. Michel
On July 21, the GIPC Speaker Series welcomed the honorable Paul R. Michel, recently retired Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. At Wednesday's event, Judge Michel offered his view of America's patent system and his recommendation to revitalize the innovation infrastructure that is so critical to our economic growth and global competitiveness. While emphasizing the importance of innovation and creativity to job creation, Judge Michel called on Congress and the Administration to reform the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in order to revitalize America's patent system and speed up the patent approval process. Some of his recommendations included restoration of the $1 billion in patent user fees Congress diverted from the PTO, and authorization for the PTO to open offices outside the Washington DC area.
May 27, 2010: "The Global Trade of Counterfeit Medicines in the Developing World"
On May 27, the Global IP Center hosted an event entitled, "The Global Trade of Counterfeit Medicines in the Developing World" with participation from speakers representing a variety of experiences, industries, policy perspectives and international viewpoints. The event kicked off with a presentation by Dr. Roger Bate of the American Enterprise Institute, a well-known and established scholar who shared his latest paper detailing the growing problem of substandard and counterfeit drugs in India and the broader developing world.
Dr. Bate's presentation was followed by a panel discussion that included Ashifi Gogo, a Ghanaian entrepreneur and CEO of Sproxil, Inc ., Dr. Vishal Patel of the U.S. Department of State, and Scott LaGanga of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (pictured below in respective order.) Representing various backgrounds and experiences, the panelists all emphasized the strong need to improve the protection and enforcement of IP rights in order to curtail the growing tide of counterfeit drugs.
- "A Safe Medicines Chest for the World" by Dr. Roger Bate (American Enterprise Institute)
- "Ashifi Gogo – Fighting the Menace of Counterfeit Drugs One SMS Message at a Time" By Dr. Mark Esper (Chamber Post)
- GIPC Interviews Ashifi Gogo
- Photos of the event
April 26, 2010: Under Secretary of State Robert D. Hormats
In recognition of the 2010 World IP Day, the GIPC Speaker Series was proud to welcome Dr. Robert D. Hormats, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs, as our inaugural guest for the Speaker Series. Dr. Hormats discussed the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in our economy and the current efforts of the U.S. Government, specifically the Department of State, to help support the protection of IP rights.
