The USPTO Signs a Memorandum of Understanding With China’s Jiangsu Provincial Government

July 21, 2011

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 21 announced its signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government in the People’s Republic of China. “This MOU marks the first time USPTO has entered into an agreement with a provincial government,“ the USPTO’s press release stated.

“The purpose of this MOU is to establish a general framework for future cooperation,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos.  “The activities contemplated under the agreement are aimed at improving enforcement and collaboration on intellectual property matters through exchanges of information, capacity building, and other educational activities.”

The press release went on to note that this agreement is a part of the USPTO’s larger effort with the Chinese government that includes agreements with the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) and the China Trademark Office and the National Copyright Administration, and features copyright enforcement workshops and roundtables and public awareness programs such as the USPTO China Road Show.