Global IP Offices Collaborate to Boost Women’s Participation in Intellectual Property Systems

Studies by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and other entities have consistently demonstrated that women inventors remain significantly underrepresented in patent systems globally. Despite a growing influx of women into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, a substantial gender gap persists in participation rates within intellectual property (IP) systems.

To address this disparity, the USPTO convened an international event featuring representatives from IP offices around the world. The forum provided a platform for sharing data-driven insights and successful approaches to increasing women’s involvement in IP.

Senior officials from the USPTO, IP Australia, the Canadian IP Office, the IP Office of the Philippines, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, the IP Office of New Zealand, the Industrial Property Protection Directorate of Jordan, and other national offices participated.

The event was structured into two primary sessions. The first session, titled “Exchange of Best Practices to Increase the Use of the IP System by Women,” featured presentations from IP offices detailing initiatives aimed at encouraging women inventors to engage more fully with patent systems.

Speakers included Paula Adamson, Deputy Director General of the Customer Services Division and Commissioner of Patents at IP Australia; Christine Piche, Director General of the Corporate Strategies and Services Branch at the Canadian IP Office; Amanda Lotheringen, Senior Manager of Copyright and IP Enforcement at the Companies and IP Commission of South Africa; and Vivienne Elke Katjiuongua, Chief Executive Officer of the Business and IP Authority of Namibia (via recording).

The second session, “Evolving Best Practices in the Recruitment, Retention and Promotion of Women in IP Offices,” focused on internal strategies within IP offices to foster gender diversity in their workforce.

Speakers in this session included Zain Al Awamleh, Director of the Industrial Property Protection Directorate at Jordan’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply (via recording); Paula Adamson of IP Australia; and Rebecca James, Manager of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications and Acting National Manager at IPONZ (Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand).

Karin Ferriter, detailed to the USPTO’s Office of International Patent Cooperation, and Drew Hirshfeld, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, also contributed to the event.

The event underscored the importance of international collaboration and knowledge exchange to close the gender gap in IP participation. It highlighted how targeted policies and programs can effectively increase women’s engagement both as inventors and as professionals within IP institutions.

For additional information or to participate in future events, interested parties are encouraged to contact Errica Miller at the USPTO’s Office of International Patent Cooperation. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be requested through Lakeshia Harley.

This global dialogue reflects ongoing efforts by IP offices worldwide to promote inclusivity and harness the full potential of diverse innovators within the intellectual property ecosystem.