On June 16, 2010, IIPI Chairman and President Bruce Lehman participated in a “Round Table on International Cooperation Models and Technical Assistance Regarding Intellectual Property Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean” at the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, DC. The discussion took place during the signing ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) and the Secretariat General of the Organization of American States (OAS) on issues related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), Commerce and Innovation. Signed by OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and IMPI Director General Jorge Amigo Castañeda, the agreement is intended to establish a framework for cooperation, promote a common public policy, and stimulate the development of programs and activities that contribute to the fulfillment of the intellectual property (IP) objectives of both institutions.
Mr. Lehman addressed the economic impact of IP, its potential to encourage economic growth and development, and the importance of including developing nations in international IP regimes. Additionally, Mr. Lehman highlighted Mexico’s leadership in promoting IPRs and the improvements that have occurred at IMPI and other OAS member states’ intellectual property offices.
Other speakers at the ceremony included Director General Castaneda; Ambassador Alfonso Quiñonez, OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development and Director General of the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development; and David Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Arturi Sarukhan, Ambassador of Mexico to the White House and Gustavo Albin, Permanente Representative of Mexico to the OAS participated as diplomatic witnesses.