This year, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) observes International Women’s Day by joining over 35 intellectual property (IP) offices and organizations in sharing a joint statement recognizing the importance of diversity in innovation and creativity and the incredible value that women bring to economic progress worldwide.  

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” Throughout the statement is a recurring emphasis on the shared commitment to empowering women to innovate and pursue entrepreneurship, highlighting the important role intellectual property protection plays in the advancement of businesses by growing jobs and communities.  

“By uplifting women, we’re creating a more collaborative world for future generations,” says Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “That said, we must continue to provide our support, though action, beyond the month of March—empowering women remains a consistent goal that benefits our global economy.” 

This statement is made by intellectual property offices and is without prejudice to the positions of WIPO’s Member States in relation to IP policy.  

Read the complete joint statement for International Women’s Day on the USPTO website. 

Original source can be found here.