The U.S. Patent Office is hoping to help China improve its intellectual property laws. Today, PTO Director Jon Dudas announced the appointment of Mark Cohen as intellectual property attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China. This is the first time that a PTO official has been placed overseas for the purpose of improving intellectual property protection in a specific country. Cohen begins his two-year assignment this week.
In addition to being an IP Attorney, Mr. Cohen is knowledgeable about Chinese language, culture and law. Cohen, a graduate of Columbia University Law School, accompanied Under Secretary Dudas on his trip to China this past Spring. He is also the principal editor of Chinese Intellectual Property Law and Practice (Kluwer Law International, 1999).
The Commerce Department had previously recommended that the USPTO place an official in China to provide support in the fight against IP crime.
