This Week in Washington IP: Counteracting Piracy and Counterfeiting, AI in Employment and Hiring, and Predicting China’s Power

This week in Washington IP news, Congress starts a two-week district work period, but there are still several interesting events taking place in the nation’s capital. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is holding an event on anticounterfeiting and anti-piracy strategies, as well as a discussion on how to enforce IP rights in Mexico. Elsewhere, New America is digging into the federal government’s efforts to spur domestic development in emerging technology.

Monday, October 2

The Brookings Institution

AI in employment and hiring: A fireside chat with EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows

At 11:00 AM on Monday, The Brookings Institution Falk Auditorium and online livestream

With more people recognizing the potential use cases of AI, an increasing number of dilemmas for individuals, businesses, and governments are coming to the surface. With the use of AI in the hiring process growing, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has begun to look at how to address potential non-discrimination law violations. The Brookings Institution is holding this event to speak with the ECOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows about the potential pitfalls in using AI to hire employees and how the federal government is looking to address these concerns.

Tuesday, October 3

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Roundtable: Future strategies in anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy

At 10:00 AM on Tuesday, 600 Dulany Street Alexandria, VA and online livestream

In this event, the USPTO will hear from businesses, IP rights holders, and other stakeholders about trends and strategies regarding anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy. In 2021, Customs and Border Protection reported a 152% annual increase in the estimated retail value of seized counterfeited and pirated products. The roundtable discussion will discuss these trends and how stakeholders can protect their IP from counterfeiting and piracy.

Wednesday, October 4

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Mexico IP Series: Expanding your market: Enforcement

At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, virtual webinar

This webinar is for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to learn about how to protect their IP in Mexico. In addition to experts from the USPTO, attendees will hear from attorneys from the Mexican Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AMPPI) in this interactive session. The experts will cover the options for enforcing IP in Mexico, how to start the enforcement process, monitoring the marketplace for unauthorized use of your IP, and more.

Thursday, October 5

Center for Strategic & International Studies

China’s Power: Up for Debate 2023

At 9:30 AM on Thursday, CSIS Headquarters and online livestream

During this all-day event, attendees will hear from multiple perspectives and experts about the central issues concerning China’s power in the coming years. Multiple academics as well as government officials will hold talks, debates, and panel discussions. Dr. Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs at the United States Department of Defense, will kick off the event with a keynote speech.

Friday, October 6

New America

How to Maximize Federal Investments Toward Workforce Development in Emerging Technology Fields

At noon on Friday, online livestream

This panel will discuss important recent legislation including the CHIPS and Science Act and other policy choices made by the federal government to spur technological development. This focus on emerging technology covers AI, autonomous vehicles, and the green economy. The panelists will look at where this focus will lead, and if the United States will reach its goals for domestic emerging technology.