World Intellectual Property Day

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1208.

I would like to thank Chairman Conyers as well as his staff for their support in bringing this resolution to the floor, and for the kind remarks from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble). I also want to thank the other Chairs of the House Intellectual Property Caucus, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono Mack) and, again, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), who have joined me in sponsoring House Resolution 1208.

This important resolution commemorates World Intellectual Property Day, which was observed yesterday, April 26. Each year since 2001, World IP Day has been held in observance of the establishment of the World Intellectual Property Organization by the United Nations. World Intellectual Property Day calls attention to the importance of IP for both our Nation and the international economy. It recognizes the contributions made by the countless artists, innovators, and other creative minds that enrich, assist, and inform us in many ways.

In and around my district in Washington State, I am able to observe daily the critically important role played by innovation and intellectual property to the economies of the South Sound region and the United States. As many of my colleagues are aware, Washington State is fortunate to boast a robust technological and innovative economy, with companies that range in size from major corporations to hundreds of smaller and medium-size businesses. Together, these industries directly and indirectly create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity. Each relies upon innovation and respect for intellectual property to remain successful and internationally competitive.

Similarly, in States and localities throughout America, artists, inventors, and employees in IP-intensive industries play a major role in supporting economic vitality. IP creates well-paying job opportunities for workers of multiple skill levels, drives research and development investment, creates new products and services that make our Nation more globally competitive, and drives American exports to foreign markets.

For intellectual property to work, it has to be protected; people have to know that they will get the value of their inventions and of their brain power. We must protect intellectual property to grow jobs here in the U.S. It is critical.

I am proud to recognize World Intellectual Property Day, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to recognize World Intellectual Property Day and the role that intellectual property plays in our Nation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source