WASHINGTON, DC-Mark T. Esper, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center, today issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s selection of Victoria Espinel to be the nation’s first White House intellectual property enforcement coordinator (IPEC).

“Last year, Congress passed the bipartisan PRO-IP Act to protect the ownership rights of inventors and creators while ensuring the products consumers use are authentic, safe and effective. President Obama’s choice of Victoria Espinel as the nation’s first IP enforcement coordinator is significant, and marks an important step towards fulfilling the promise of the PRO-IP Act.

“Throughout a long and distinguished career working on intellectual property issues, Victoria has been on the front lines of efforts to protect the ideas that are the basis of our innovation economy. Under Victoria’s leadership, intellectual property protection, promotion, and enforcement will now be rightly elevated to the highest level of the executive branch, an important sign about the administration’s commitment to protecting jobs throughout America’s IP-intensive industries.
“Growing the economy, improving America’s competitiveness, and protecting ideas go hand-in-hand because our economy is built on IP-driven innovation. In these uncertain economic times, it is more critical than ever that our government aggressively protect the rights of innovators and artists who are turning ideas into full-fledged inventions that create jobs and meet the public’s needs.

“In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to learning more about IPEC’s plan to tackle the IP challenges that face the nation. We are anxious to work with Victoria on the development of the first comprehensive national strategy, as mandated by Congress, to address the full range of IP issues now facing American industry, workers, and consumers. Today’s nomination is a positive development towards fully implementing and funding the PRO-IP Act, and we hope President Obama and Congress will continue this important work by ensuring Victoria has the resources and authority necessary to get the job done.”

America’s IP-intensive industries employ nearly 18 million workers. These innovative sectors account for over $5 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product and comprise more than half of all U.S. exports.

The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion IP as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

For more information, please contact Trinh Nguyen at (202) 463-5379.