World Intellectual Property Day

Today is World Intellectual Property Day. Around the world, people will be celebrating the benefits and contributions of intellectual property to our societies. Intellectual property gives us art and entertainment. It drives the Internet and enables stunning advances in the fight against genetic and infectious disease. It stimulates our economy and creates well-paying jobs. It facilitates social networks and feeds the world. 

President Obama believes that the American people deserve a smart approach to regulation that enhances economic competitiveness and public health. He knows that protecting intellectual property is critical to the United States. Our companies and workers create some of the most innovative products on the world market. Unfortunately, our consumers are also confronted with a myriad of dangerous and illegal counterfeit goods.

Our closest friends around the world share this belief in intellectual property protection, which is why I asked David Jacobson, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, for the opportunity to reach out to the Canadian people on Embassy Ottawa’s blog this morning. That post can be found here.

This World Intellectual Property Day, the American people and economy will enjoy the benefits of intellectual property across many industries and disciplines. These intellectual property-intensive industries and the innovators within them demand praise and deserve protection. By offering both, we can harness their economic clout and competitive advantages, validating President Obama’s message that “if the playing field is level, I promise you – America will always win.”

I wish you a very happy World Intellectual Property Day.

Victoria Espinel is the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator