By Chinwe Ohanele
The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property (Michelson IP) team was delighted to dive into the heart of intellectual property at the recent Global IP conference, hosted by Georgia State University College of Law. Looking back at the event, we are motivated by the key highlights and illuminating discussions that unfolded.
Attendees included David Kappos, longtime friend and partner of Michelson IP; Elizabeth Daugherty and Valencia Martin Wallace, both from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); George Yolk of the Recording Industry Association of America; Daniel (Danny) Marti, Head of Public Affairs and Global Policy at Tencent; Rebecca Dammon the Chief Labor Policy Office for the SAG-AFTRA; and Charles Randolph Head NGO and Industry Relationships at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
A Focus on Education, IP Ecosystem Collaboration, and Diversity and Inclusion
Three organizations—the Global IP Alliance, Georgia State IP Alliance, and US IP Alliance—focused the discussions loosely around three pillars: education, IP ecosystem collaboration, and diversity and inclusion. Spirited conversations among practitioners, non-profits, and corporate entities also explored the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and IP, promoting entertainment IP globally, international IP organizations, as well as regional efforts by IP industry leaders.
The Need for Global IP Awareness and the Importance of Embracing Differences
One highlight was a fireside chat featuring Etienne Sanz de Acedo, CEO of the International Trademark Association and Head of Communications at the European Union IP Office (EUIPO). He showcased how we see innovation and creativity everywhere and emphasized the critical need to have people aware of IP.
This year, according to Mr. Sanz de Acedo, there are approximately 49 billion people across 60+ countries looking to cast votes to elect new leadership. This means that a number of countries will have the opportunity to prioritize or deprioritize IP as a tool for innovation in their countries.
From Japan’s focus on bridging the gender gap to Ecuador’s exploration of linguistic and ethnic diversity, the diversity equity and inclusion panel sparked thought-provoking conversations on how embracing differences can drive collective progress. Professor Daryl Lim’s impassioned plea to recognize the invaluable contributions of immigrant talent underscored the global implications of nurturing diverse perspectives in IP. He highlighted how countries export their talent to the United States to learn and develop professionals who will return to their home country, while the US doesn’t do that at a rate that would allow the US to compete or understand foreign markets and ecosystems.
Demonstrating their unwavering commitment to fostering international collaboration and education, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) emphasized the importance of ensuring no communities are left behind in the IP conversation. Their presence added a global perspective, highlighted the importance of inclusivity in shaping IP, and also featured business and technology tools attendees can leverage. For example, there are ‘IP for Business Tools’ webinars which are being offered in a variety of jurisdictions around the world where knowledge is sorely needed and highly demanded.
IP Education: A Panel Discussion
On a more personal note, I was excited to showcase the work of Michelson IP and our partners during the IP Education Panel. The discussion centered on how we are ensuring IP education is democratized throughout the US and also globally.
From partnering with 200+ postsecondary institutions in which educators are embracing IP in the classroom to fostering IP education in the HBCU ecosystem, we are seeing IP education gain a foothold in our colleges and universities, shaping the next generation of inventors. Additionally, the panel discussed the need to ensure that we have no more lost Einsteins and bring many people into the innovation economy through K-12 education as well. Ultimately, the panel highlighted what is possible with a singular focus on IP education and its growing impact in this space.
It was wonderful to connect with the GLIPA community and hear from various partners and Michelson IP resource users in the audience. We look forward to the next convening!
_________
The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property, an initiative of the Michelson 20MM Foundation, provides access to empowering IP education for budding inventors and entrepreneurs. Michelson 20MM was founded thanks to the generous support of renowned spinal surgeon Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson. To learn more, visit 20mm.org.