The STOPfakes Program of the International Trade Administration (ITA) – Interview With Michelle Sara King – Helping Businesses and Consumers to Deal With Fakes – Episode 154 – IP Fridays

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STOPfakes.gov

Information pages of the German Patent and Trademark Office for SMEs

Summary and Main Takeaways

Episode Overview: This episode features an interview with Michelle Sara King, the intellectual property team lead and senior international trade specialist at the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce. The discussion centers on her role, the initiatives she leads, and advice for businesses on protecting intellectual property (IP) internationally.

Main Takeaways:

1. Role and Responsibilities:
   • Michelle leads a team focused on protecting U.S. IP rights internationally.
   • She has extensive experience in IP and international trade, contributing to improved IP enforcement globally.
2. Key Initiatives:
   • Stop Fakes Program: Educates businesses, especially SMEs, on protecting their IP. Provides resources, training, and support.
   • International Collaboration: Works with global partners to enhance IP enforcement, involving negotiations, best practice sharing, and technical assistance.
3. Challenges in IP Protection:
   • Evolving IP Threats: New forms of IP theft and counterfeiting emerge with technological advancements, requiring constant updates in strategies.
   • Complex International Cooperation: Varying levels of IP protection across countries necessitate continuous negotiation and diplomacy.
4. Advice for Businesses:
   • Proactivity: Register trademarks and patents in key markets, monitor for infringements, and act when necessary.
   • Education: Utilize resources like the Stop Fakes program for best practices in IP protection.
   • Professional Support: Engage experienced IP professionals for guidance and support.

This episode highlights the critical work being done to protect intellectual property rights globally and provides practical advice for businesses to safeguard their IP assets.

Rolf Claessen: Good afternoon. I am Rolf Claessen, and welcome to IP Fridays. Today, our special guest is Michelle Sara King, the intellectual property team lead, senior international trade specialist, and the Stop Fakes team lead at the International Trade Administration in the United States Department of Commerce. Michelle, welcome to the podcast.

Michelle Sara King: Good afternoon. I am Michelle Sara King. I am the intellectual property team lead, the senior international trade specialist, and the Stop Fakes team lead at the International Trade Administration in the United States Department of Commerce. Happy to be here. Thanks, Rolf.

Rolf Claessen: So tell us, what is the Stop Fakes program of the US government, and where does it come from? What is the main goal? Tell us more about it.

Michelle Sara King: The Stop Fakes program was created by a presidential order in the Bush administration as an opportunity to provide outreach and education about intellectual property to businesses of all sizes as well as consumers. The name of the Stop Fakes program is a bit of a misnomer because it’s focused primarily on education, outreach, and engagement about intellectual property. It is not an enforcement mechanism per se, though we do provide opportunities and referrals for issues of enforcement. The Stop Fakes program is over ten years old and operates through a digital platform with a website, stopfakes.gov. We conduct outreach and engagement via virtual webinars, in-person roadshows, speaking at industry events, and specialized business consultations for businesses of all sizes, all at no charge. Our programs partner with various entities, including the US Export Assistance Centers, which operate in every state and are part of the International Trade Administration. The International Trade Administration was established over forty years ago by President Reagan as a key component of promoting and protecting US businesses internationally.

Rolf Claessen: That’s very impressive. What are some of the major accomplishments of the Stop Fakes program?

Michelle Sara King: One of our key accomplishments is the development of extensive resources and tools to help businesses protect their intellectual property. We’ve created guides, webinars, and training materials that are accessible to everyone. Additionally, we’ve held numerous events and consultations that have directly assisted businesses in safeguarding their IP. Another significant achievement is our collaboration with international partners to strengthen IP enforcement globally. This involves negotiating agreements, sharing best practices, and providing technical assistance to help other countries improve their IP systems.

Rolf Claessen: Can you give us some examples of the kind of support and resources you offer to businesses?

Michelle Sara King: Absolutely. We provide a range of resources, including IP toolkits tailored to specific industries, which outline best practices for protecting intellectual property. Our webinars cover various topics, such as how to register trademarks and patents in foreign markets, how to detect and respond to counterfeit goods, and strategies for enforcing IP rights. We also offer one-on-one consultations where businesses can get personalized advice and support from our team of experts.

Rolf Claessen: What do you see as the biggest challenges in the field of intellectual property today?

Michelle Sara King: One of the biggest challenges is the constantly evolving nature of IP threats. As technology advances, new forms of IP theft and counterfeiting emerge. Keeping up with these changes and developing effective strategies to combat them is a continuous challenge. Additionally, working with multiple countries with varying levels of IP protection and enforcement can be complex. It requires constant negotiation and diplomacy to achieve meaningful improvements. There’s also the challenge of raising awareness among businesses about the importance of protecting their IP and the steps they need to take to do so effectively.

Rolf Claessen: Given these challenges, what advice would you give to businesses looking to protect their IP internationally?

Michelle Sara King: First and foremost, businesses need to be proactive about protecting their IP. This means registering their trademarks and patents in key markets, monitoring for potential infringements, and taking action when necessary. Education is also crucial. Businesses should take advantage of the resources available to them, such as the Stop Fakes program, to learn about best practices for IP protection. Finally, working with experienced IP professionals can provide invaluable guidance and support. It’s important to have a comprehensive IP strategy that covers all aspects of protection and enforcement.

Rolf Claessen: Thank you, Michelle. It’s been a pleasure talking with you. Your insights and expertise are incredibly valuable to our listeners.

Michelle Sara King: Thank you, Rolf. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to share some of our work and hopefully provide some useful information to your audience.

Rolf Claessen: That wraps up this episode of IP Fridays. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll be back with more discussions on intellectual property soon.