Houston, TX—On [insert date], Rice University hosted an important seminar focusing on strategies to protect and enforce intellectual property (IP) rights, particularly concerning businesses operating in or with China.
The event took place at McMurtry Auditorium, Anne and Charles Duncan Hall, and was attended by local business owners, U.S. government experts, and IP attorneys.
As the People’s Republic of China remains one of the top destinations for Texas exports, issues related to IP infringement have become increasingly relevant.
Companies may find their valuable IP compromised, either through counterfeit products appearing in China or the United States, or through the unauthorized registration of their trademarks in China.
The program aimed to equip Houston-area business owners—especially those new to China—with essential knowledge and strategies for developing an effective IP protection plan.
Organized by the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs and the Southwest Regional Outreach Office in collaboration with Rice University’s Fondren Library, the seminar is part of a broader series of China IP Road Shows presented by the USPTO across the country.
With no virtual attendance option, the event emphasized the importance of direct engagement and peer discussion on these critical topics.
The agenda for the seminar was comprehensive and included a series of presentations and panel discussions.
Registration opened at 8:00 a.m., allowing attendees to check in before the program officially began.
Dr. Tam Dao from Rice University and Branden Ritchie from the USPTO gave opening remarks, setting the stage for a series of informative presentations.
One of the first topics covered was ‘IP Developments in China: Challenges and Opportunities in a Shifting IP Environment,’ presented by Conrad Wong, a Senior Attorney from the USPTO, who introduced key challenges facing IP rights holders in China.
Following this, a panel moderated by Hope Shimabuku discussed ‘Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights from the E-Commerce Perspective.’
Kebharu Smith from Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit shared insights on how businesses can protect themselves against online infringement.
The next topic, moderated by Hannah Edlund, focused on ‘U.S. Export Controls and Their Effects on U.S. Rights Holders.’
Grant Leach, a Partner at Husch Blackwell, provided a detailed overview of the implications of U.S. export controls for business owners and their IP rights.
A break followed, allowing attendees to network and discuss the first half of the seminar.
The third topic, moderated by Patricia Stepp, covered ‘Civil, Border, and Criminal IP Rights Enforcement in the United States.’
This session featured several experts, including Mackenzie Martin from Baker and McKenzie and Juan Pagan from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
They delved into various enforcement mechanisms available to U.S. rights holders facing IP challenges that originate in China.
The final panel, ‘Best IP Practices When Doing Business in and with China: The Texas Experience,’ moderated by George Webb, highlighted the experiences of several local businesses.
Participants included Oren Gelber from Academy Sports + Outdoors and Phyllis Turner-Brim from HP Inc., who shared best practices that can help businesses safeguard their IP in international markets.
Closing remarks were delivered by Hope Shimabuku, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting intellectual property rights in an increasingly globalized economy.
This insightful program provided valuable information and tools for Houston-area businesses navigating the complexities of IP in relation to China.
For more information about the China IP Road Show series or this specific event, interested parties can visit the USPTO’s registration page or contact Lakeisha Harley in the Office of Policy and International Affairs.
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