Intellectual property may be a broad category, containing everything from copyrighted written and artistic works to patented inventions and plants. It’s also one of the cornerstones of the United States’ economy, accounting for more than half of the country’s exports and controlling about 40% of economic growth nationwide. Yet intellectual property is also under threat from many sources. The issue of intellectual property theft is one that has become far greater thanks to the internet and potentially lax enforcement in other parts of the world.
Back in 2007, the total share of counterfeit and pirated products throughout the world had increased 7.6% since 2000 — a modest amount, but not terrifying by any means. But today, the White House cited one estimate that states that the worldwide market for counterfeit and pirated products is growing at a rate of about 22% per year, worth as much as $1.8 trillion in 2015 alone.
To combat this, the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Committee wants to hear from U.S. citizens who may be affected by these issues. To do this, they’re working with U.S. citizens to develop the 2016-2019 Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement. That means that whether you’re an artist who makes money online or a software developer for a billion-dollar enterprise, the government wants to hear more about how they can keep your intellectual property safe.
Danny Marti, the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator at the White House Office of Management and Budget, put out the call for feedback on the official White House website on September 1. “Through continued dialogue with a full range of interested stakeholders — such as IP rights holders, trade and professional associations, public interest groups and academia — we can best provide the legal, regulatory, and policy environment appropriate for a rapidly evolving intellectual property landscape,” Marti wrote.
Does the average citizen with patents, trademarks, or copyrights need to be worried about infringement? Of course, but Americans also have resources to turn to beyond this newest initiative. To prevent potential infringement, intellectual property lawyers can help innovators understand the patent process or get them caught up on trademark, copyright and patent laws. Intellectual property lawyers can also help these Americans enforce their intellectual property rights and have peace of mind when it comes to their innovations and livelihood.
If you have questions about whether or not you’re protected, be sure to contact an intellectual property lawyer to discuss your rights. You can also provide the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Committee with your feedback at the U.S. Government Publishing Office at gpo.gov.
