events 2008

Economic Officer Karen Choe speaks to an audience of  intellectual property rights protection

U.S. Embassy Speaks at Czech Police Academy on Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Leadup to April 26 World Intellectual Property Day

April 17, 2008

On April 9, 2008, the U.S. Embassy participated in a conference (V. ročník Konference bezpečnostního managementu) at the Czech Police Academy on intellectual property rights. Senior Economic Officer Karen Choe spoke to an audience of law enforcement officials, industry representatives, government officials, and journalists about how the U.S. promotes and protects intellectual property rights. She explained the Congressionally-mandated U.S. Special 301 process, which evaluates the adequacy of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement around the world. 

The Czech Republic is currently on the Special 301 Watch List for continued intellectual property rights violations at the open air markets near the German and Austrian borders.  The U.S. government is working closely with industry and with Czech authorities on an IPR Action Plan to improve the current situation.

World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on April 26. The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2001 to "raise awareness of the role of intellectual property in our daily lives, and to celebrate the contribution made by innovators and artists to the development of societies across the globe".