VIEWPOINT: Intellectual property rights fuel creativity and innovation

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has declared April 26 as World IP Day, a day for all of us to take a moment to recognize the important role that IP rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, etc.) play in encouraging innovation and creativity.

Mohamed Cisse

IP rights provide creators and inventors with the confidence to invest in their ideas. Knowing they can control and profit from their work allows them to take risks, experiment, and bring new inventions and creative expressions to life. This fuels the constant churn of innovation that leads to better products, services, and artistic experiences for everyone. Let’s celebrate the crucial role of IP protections in driving innovation, especially in health care, medicine, and other technologies.

Beyond encouraging invention, IP rights also foster healthy competition. They ensure that companies compete on the merits of their ideas, rather than simply copying each other’s work. This drives a constant cycle of improvement, pushing companies to develop even better products and services for consumers.

I want to take this opportunity to also recognize one of the most important protectors of these rights – U.S. Senator Chris Coons.

I recently attended a business breakfast that featured Senator Coons discussing the latest activities in Washington. A member of the audience asked the Senator to speak for a moment about patent protection in the chemistry field. For the next ten minutes, Senator Coons spoke with authority, and a dash of humor, about the vital role of intellectual property protection.

He talked about the importance of both good legislation and the appointment of judges who are familiar with the finer details of intellectual property. We are fortunate to have his voice serving the public to help guide both quality legislation and a review of potential judges for their understanding of these issues.

In a piece published last March in The Hill, David Kappos and Andrei Iancu (both served in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) recognized Senator Coons as one of the few “champions” for IP rights serving in Congress.

Senator Coons said something at that breakfast that will always stay with me, “to me, patents are property rights.” I hope others in Congress and our Courts would recognize that wisdom and treat intellectual property with the same strength as physical property.

On the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day, I extend my gratitude and appreciation to the individuals who have contributed to the advancements in biosciences, medicine, manufacturing, and creative technologies from other disciplines. Thanks to Senator Coons for his diligent efforts in safeguarding the intellectual property rights of all innovators.

Mohamed Cisse is the founder and CEO of Tungsten Global Consulting (TGC), a Delaware-based business that spearheads initiatives with a focus on scientific research and agricultural and environmental advancements. Mr. Cisse also serves on the Board of the World Trade Center Delaware.