On August 1, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2), and the U.S. Intellectual Property Alliance (USIPA) cohosted the second annual Increasing Diversity in Innovation Conference. As part of the Diversity Conference, USIPA board member Suzanne Harrison moderated a fireside chat with Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, and Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce. The two leaders discussed the roles government, public, and private organizations must play in expanding American innovation. 

Watch a recording of the fireside chat.

THE DIVERSITY PLEDGE

Innovators of all types have shaped many aspects of the world throughout the centuries. However, findings by WIPO and leading researchers show some groups remain severely under-represented in many areas of intellectual property use. All of the data suggests that the world has missed out on millions of inventors.

Maintaining a technical and innovative edge is vital for success in the marketplace and for global economic and technological success. For individual companies, more innovation can lead to increased market share, customer acquisition, employee retention, and more. Increasing Diversity in Innovation is the first step in reaching these goals, and the time for action is now.

The Diversity Pledge is a commitment to working to understand and address the issue of underrepresented inventors. The pledge is currently signed by many of the world’s largest companies and innovators.

PLEDGEES