By Matthew Harakal

At first glance they may not seem to have much in common, but wedding dresses, golf balls, and rock bands all rely on one very important thing to be successful – intellectual property.

Wedding dress designer Liz Fields, representatives from the Acushnet Company (makers of the Titleist and FootJoy brands, among others) and Ed Roland of Collective Soul, were joined by leading voices from Capitol Hill and the Obama Administration to offer a vision for IP in 2015.

Over 30 other industry association partners, representing an even wider range of innovative businesses, took center stage at the Global IP Center’s 2nd Annual Global IP Summit on Tuesday, November 18, to discuss the importance of IP.

Leading public policy makers also set forth their agendas for the new year. Presenters included Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA); U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE); Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Holleyman; Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization Dr. Francis Gurry; Acting Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Michelle Lee; Chairman & CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT); President & CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America John Castellani; General Counsel of the U.S. Copyright Office Jacqueline Charlesworth; former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement; and prominent Los Angeles entertainment attorney Dina LaPolt.

The 2nd Annual IP Summit reinforced the fact that IP is an issue that unites nearly every sector of the global economy, and we all must work together to fight to grow the innovation economy. Video coverage of the full summit is available and worth the time to view and hear their take on what is to come for the 114th Congress, major trade agreements and the courts.