U.S. Advocacy & Government Relations
July 2025 – June 2026 — Over the past year, IPO deepened its presence on Capitol Hill and at the USPTO, translating member priorities into direct advocacy with lawmakers, agency leadership, and coalition partners.
Samantha Grover
Deputy Executive Director & Chief Policy Counsel
Setting Priorities
In February 2026, the Board selected 2026 Policy Priority Issues including AI's impact on IP, USPTO funding, IPR reform, international harmonization, patentable subject matter, and brand integrity.
Capitol Hill Engagement
Launched "IP Coffee Chat" series in spring 2026; attended fundraisers for key congressional leaders; engaged on proposed valuation-based patent tax.
Legislative Advocacy
Board adopted Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Principles (Dec 2025); opposed ETHIC Act, Skinny Labels Act, and Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act.
USPTO Engagement
Multiple meetings with Director John Squires; submitted formal comments on PTAB rulemaking, U.S. Practitioner Representation proposal, and design patent guidance.
Capitol Hill Engagement
IPO maintained an active presence on Capitol Hill, engaging lawmakers and staff on key IP policy issues throughout 2025–2026.
Oct 2025
Engaged House and Senate Judiciary Committee offices regarding a proposed valuation-based patent tax
Dec 2025
Board adopted Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Principles — clear, predictable, technology-neutral standards (product of 18-month board-wide vetting)
Jan 2026
Board adopted resolution urging Congress to strengthen the Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act
Apr 2026
Co-hosted World IP Day reception on Capitol Hill, attended by Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Thom Tillis, USPTO Director John Squires, and Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter
May 2026
Launched "IP Coffee Chat" series, convening member government relations professionals with congressional offices
Jun 2026
Submitted letters opposing the ETHIC Act, Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act, and Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act; published chart tracking all IP-related legislation in the 119th Congress
USPTO Engagement
IPO maintained close, ongoing dialogue with USPTO leadership throughout the period, including multiple meetings with Director John Squires and senior agency leaders on operations and artificial intelligence policy.
Jul–Sep 2025
Participated in meetings at USPTO on design protection for computer-generated interfaces; submitted comments on OECD draft voluntary guidelines for counterfeit goods; convened members on proposed patent valuation fee
Aug 2025
Submitted comments to USPTO on OECD draft voluntary guidelines for counterfeit goods in online marketplaces
Sep 2025
Hosted Acting USPTO Director Coke Morgan Stewart as keynote speaker at IPO's Annual Meeting and for a fireside chat during the Chief IP Counsel Breakfast
Oct–Nov 2025
Held multiple meetings with USPTO Director John Squires on government shutdown impacts, agency operations, and AI policy
Dec 2025
Submitted comments to USPTO on the PTAB Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Jan 2026
Submitted comments on the U.S. Practitioner Representation proposal for foreign-domiciled applicants
Feb 2026
Patent Office Practice Committee quarterly meeting with USPTO Acting Commissioner for Patents and Deputy Commissioners
May 2026
Submitted comments to USPTO on design patent guidance for GUIs and icons
International Advocacy
July 2025 – June 2026 — IPO advocates around the world on behalf of members to judicial, legislative, and administrative bodies for predictable, cost-effective, and efficient IP legal systems. IPO participates in the Industry Trilateral, IP5 Industry, ID5, and TM5 stakeholder meetings, and regularly engages at WIPO.
Thomas Valente,
Senior Director for Global Affairs
Harmonization Priorities
Advancing global assignment, e-signature harmonization, cross-border patent practitioner privilege, design law harmonization, and patent law harmonization.
AI & Emerging Technology
Promoting consistent international approaches to AI-related IP issues.
Formal Submissions & Advocacy
18 formal filings, comments, testimony appearances, and resolutions submitted to bodies including USTR, WIPO, CNIPA, UKIPO, and India DPIIT.
Global Relationship Building
Sustained engagement with WIPO, USPTO, EPO, JPO, CNIPA, MOIP, and private-sector partners across more than 14 jurisdictions and forums.
International Advocacy Priorities
IPO's international advocacy is guided by five core priority areas, with a dedicated focus on emerging technology issues, particularly artificial intelligence, alongside longstanding harmonization and enforcement goals.
Strengthening international IP protection and enforcement through engagement with foreign governments, IP offices, and international organizations.
Advancing procedural and substantive harmonization, including global assignment, e-signature harmonization, cross-border patent practitioner privilege, design law harmonization, and patent law harmonization.
Promoting consistent international approaches to emerging technology issues, particularly relating to artificial intelligence.
Supporting member-driven advocacy through comments, testimony, amicus activity, board resolutions, and coordinated committee work.
Expanding global relationships with public- and private-sector partners.
Selected Meetings & Engagements
IPO maintained active engagement across many international meetings, conferences, and stakeholder consultations from July 2025 through June 2026.
July 2025
WIPO General Assemblies and related stakeholder meetings in Geneva. Advanced discussions on Global ID, Global Assignment, harmonization, and IPO-WIPO cooperation.
September 2025
WIPO General Director Daren Tang was a keynote speaker at the IPO Annual Meeting. IPO President John Cheek participated in a panel for the launch of WIPO's 2025 Global Innovation Index.
October 2025
43rd Trilateral Conference; ID5 User Session; TM5 User Session. Furthered harmonization of patents, designs, and trademarks.
December 2025
USPTO Attaché consultations and WIPO Coordination Meeting for Private Sector Associations on IP Enforcement
February 2026
Special 301 Hearing at USTR. Testified about impediments to appropriate protection of intellectual property rights abroad.
March 2026
IP5 Industry Meetings. Prepared positions and helped coordinate engagement on procedural harmonization.
April–May 2026
IP5 Global Dossier Task Force and Industry Consultation Group Meeting. Discussed procedural harmonization efforts among the IP5 offices.
June 2026
IP Innovation Dialogue in Tokyo and IP5-related Harmonization Meetings.
IPO Education Foundation
2025–2026 Impact
Inspire
Inspire the next generation's understanding of IP as a driver of innovation and economic growth.
Educate
Educate students and the public about the role IP plays in driving prosperity and enriching communities.
Elevate
Elevate awareness and appreciation for IP's role in driving innovation, prosperity, and welfare.
IP is Everywhere!
IPOEF's motto spotlights the innovators who shape our world and the critical role IP plays in driving our economy — across sports, entertainment, music, film, and beyond. View the IP is Everywhere video!
IP Buddy (ipbuddy.ai)
The first AI-powered digital assistant for intellectual property. IP Buddy makes IP education more approachable, engaging, and fun. Featured in Inventors Digest. IP Buddy in the Media
questions answered in first month
TV/radio airings
Potential audience
2025 Awards Celebration
Over 300 IP practitioners, professionals, and government officials gathered to celebrate accomplishments in IP, raising $85K+ for IP awareness.
raised for IP Awareness
2025 Honorees
2025 Inventors of the Year
Lee and Erin Hanson, founders of Guardian Sports, honored for their innovations improving sports safety.
2025 Executive of the Year
Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of the WNBA, honored for her commitment to the creation, promotion, and protection of IP.
2025 IP Champions
Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), honored for their bipartisan efforts to advocate for a strong IP system.
Photo credit: IAM
2026