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

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:




* 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.





* 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.





* 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.





* 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,