Innovation thrives when intellectual property (IP) is protected. It fuels creativity and drives economic growth. At this year’s IP Champion Awards reception, the U.S. Chamber brought together business leaders, policymakers, and creators to celebrate those leading the fight to safeguard IP.
Why it matters: IP is the cornerstone of innovation and economic progress. It not only powers industries like music, film, and technology but also creates opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed.
By the numbers: According to U.S. Chamber research, IP supported:
Over $5 trillion in jobs across all industries and states.
$799 billion in R&D spending.
$140.36 billion in total IP-related exports.
This interactive map shows the economic impact of IP by state.
Honoring IP Champions
John Squires, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, spoke at the IP Champions Awards reception.
This year’s IP Champions represent a diverse group of leaders and initiatives who made significant contributions to the protection of IP in the U.S. and worldwide.
John Squires, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), kicked off the event by noting how important IP is “to our new companies and our great companies, our investors and entrepreneurs, their families, their communities, our economy, our national security, and to the future success of our nation.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) received the Award for Excellence in Leadership for advocating for policies that protect creators, inventors, and innovators. “Representative Johnson’s work ensures that artists, small businesses, and tech innovators all have the legal protections they need to thrive,” said Kira Alvarez, vice president for government relations at Paramount Skydance, who accepted the award on Rep. Johnson’s behalf.
Sen. Tom Tillis (R-NC) received the Award for Excellence in Leadership for his work in strengthening America’s IP system and combating online piracy. “If you don’t find a way to protect that art and that science, then we as a nation will lose one of the things that I think has made us an exceptional nation,” said Tillis.
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall earned the Award for Excellence in IP Enforcement for her leadership in the fight against counterfeit goods. “If you plug it in the wall or take it in your body, you expect it to be safe, and if we don’t fight these counterfeiters, that will no longer be true,” Marshall emphasized.
Mitch Glazier, CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, was recognized with the Award for Excellence in Creativity for his dedication to protecting the livelihoods of artists and songwriters. “Mitch never loses sight of the people behind the policy,” said Ruth Vitale, CEO of CreativeFuture. “He knows that every line of legislation, every negotiation, every court case, is ultimately about artists and songwriters, people who are simply trying to share their creativity with the world and make a living doing it.”
Operation 404, an anti-piracy initiative led by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security, received the Award for Excellence in International Enforcement. Stan McCoy, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Entertainment Software Association, praised the program as “a model for coordinated anti-piracy enforcement, combining legal, technical, and international strategies.”
Calling for Action Against Piracy
Singer-songwriter Victoria Shaw performed at the IP Champions Awards reception.
Before the IP Champions reception, at U.S. Chamber’s digital piracy symposium, advocates and industry leaders highlighted the importance of IP in fostering creativity and sustaining livelihoods. They also addressed the escalating threats of piracy and organized crime.
What they said:
“If you’re going to incent creativity, you need to have protection, but you also need to have distribution.” – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
“Intellectual property is something I feed my children, support my family with, so it’s very important.” – Singer-songwriter Victoria Shaw
“I think a broader challenge… is just overcoming the lack of understanding, both by policymakers and by consumers, of harms caused by piracy.” – Steve Kang, Senior Vice President for Content Protection at NBCUniversal
“[We need] a more mature and serious approach to how law enforcement and regulators around the world take this as an actual threat.” – Michael Lewan, Executive Director of the Music Fights Fraud Alliance
About the author
Sean Hackbarth
Sean writes about public policies affecting businesses including energy, health care, and regulations. When not battling those making it harder for free enterprise to succeed, he raves about all things Wisconsin (his home state) and religiously follows the Green Bay Packers.