International Advocacy

Overview

Sound IP policies in the United States and abroad are essential for advancing worldwide economic development, creating high-quality jobs, and strengthening America’s global competitiveness. The GIPC works with partners in key capitals and regions around the world to facilitate a positive and ongoing dialogue with national governments and domestic stakeholders on the importance of protecting and enforcing IP rights.

International Programs

The GIPC’s global IP efforts are focused on building broad coalitions and identifying new advocates to promote and defend effective IP rules while working to strengthen enforcement efforts overseas through the following priorities:

Advance Trade Agreements with Strong IP Provisions

With 60% of exports stemming from U.S. IP-intensive companies, it is essential that the U.S. government open new markets by advancing trade agreements with strong IP provisions. The GIPC has prioritized working with key trading partners to set strong global standards through trade policy vehicles such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The GIPC Trade Task Force engages regularly and actively with the administration, Congress, and partner countries to sustain broad-based support for the further development of a global IP-led innovation model.

Build Alliances Globally

GIPC seeks to promote vibrant and effective IP policies in the global arena by working with a diverse network of allies to communicate the value of intellectual property protection to job creation and economic and cultural development. For example, in Geneva, GIPC has conducted a series of programs, in partnership with country-based Missions in Geneva, to champion the value of strong IP protection and enforcement to economic development, particularly in developing countries.

In addition, GIPC has commissioned and released research on the value of strong IP protections to fostering innovation, which we have promoted in bilateral and multilateral fora.

GIPC also engages the U.S. administration and Congress urging them to advance and defend a robust international system of IP rights and norms by remaining vigilant against efforts to weaken IP rights in international institutions.

Address IP Challenges and Opportunities in Key Markets

• China– GIPC’s program aims to promote China’s goal of building an innovative society that benefits domestic and foreign rights holders.
• India– The GIPC works with both the Government of India and United States Government to foster relationships, open dialogue and provide the necessary tools and education to promote IP rights in India.
• Multilateral Organizations (MLOs)– GIPC is working to ensure that businesses and global policy makers are collaborating to create rules which preserve and protect IP rights.
• Other Markets– The GIPC monitors and engages other key markets from around the world to promote effective IP systems. Please see our work on the U.S. Chamber International IP Index.

USPTO IP Attachè Program

GIPC works with the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) IP attaché program, which strives to improve IP systems internationally for the benefit of U.S. stakeholders. IP attachés are posted at U.S. missions around the world to address IP issues arising in their assigned regions. Find an attaché in your region.