In Tuesday night’s presidential debate, we were encouraged to see how sound intellectual property (IP) policy plays a role in sparking economic growth.

Innovation is an economic issue, not a partisan one. Regardless of who occupies the White House, protecting and promoting intellectual property must be a top priority. It is clear that we must confront the theft of our national treasures—from cancer medicines to computer software— which are fostered through U.S. patents, copyrights, and trademarks.

 

Source: VOA, Wkicommons

Intellectual property and its subsequent enforcement used to be fodder for wonks, but today, it is clearly part of the dinnertime conversation. This has transformed from an academic issue to an ‘everyone’ issue, precisely because 55 million American jobs hang in the balance.

These high-paying jobs, 74% of exports, and $5.8 trillion in U.S. GDP, all originate from IP-intensive industries. With these stats, it’s no surprise that presidential candidates feel compelled to address IP on a high-profile national—no, international—stage.

Protecting our innovations from theft will help ensure America gets back on its feet, keeping Americans employed, protecting the innovations and breakthroughs that solve global problems, energizing the economy, and creating products that improve our lives. IP is, in fact, a foundation for American competitiveness in the 21st century, something voters and candidates alike recognize.