Joint Strategic Plan on IP Enforcement

In June 2010, various U.S. Departments such as the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security together with the President compiled what is known as the 2010 Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement. The main thrust of this plan was to reiterate just how important intellectual property laws are to a healthy economy. The laws are in place to protect consumers, investors and manufacturers. Since America is a world leader in innovation, plans to combat counterfeiting are a must. The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act is what directs the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator to develop this joint plan together with various federal agencies. What resulted was six actions that the government recognized they needed to take in order to better protect intellectual property.

Six Ways to Improve Intellectual Property Rights

According to U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel, the first way that the U.S. can improve IP safety is to proactively take steps to ensure that the Federal government is not purchasing or using infringed products. This means a thorough investigation before purchase and use of products so that they are not used without the consent of the patent holder. The next step is that, at home and abroad, the U.S. hopes to support transparency and information sharing. Step three is to increase the efficiency of law enforcement officials Federal, state and local through increased training efforts. If law enforcement is better informed about patent infringement and intellectual property as a whole, its occurrence will likely decrease.

Fourthly, the United States will be working with trading partners on an international level so that IP enforcement would go beyond domestic and reach a global level. We must control our own IP enforcement, but also aim to promote IP enforcement in other countries that we trade with. Fifth, the U.S. will be tightening the security of its supply chains. This means more heavily enforcing borders. Finally, the joint commission aims to improve the quality of the information that is collected and assess it thoroughly in order to achieve an overall fair environment for all intellectual property owners in the United States.

Innovation as the Single Greatest Asset

In a March 2010 statement from President Barack Obama, he said that “Our single greatest asset is the innovation and ingenuity and creativity of the American people. It is essential to our prosperity.” When intellectual property is protected, the U.S. economy grows more healthily and jobs are protected. It also promotes consumer’s trust in the economy. When consumers trust the economy, they are more willing to invest their money into it. By doing so, the economic cycle is kept in balance. Grimes LLC is proud to be part of the protection of intellectual property in the United States. We share the belief that innovation is America’s greatest asset, and should be protected.