USPTO IP Attachés Drive Global Intellectual Property Enforcement and Collaboration

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has actively deployed its intellectual property (IP) attachés worldwide to promote strong IP systems, facilitate international cooperation, and combat counterfeiting. These attachés have recently participated in a series of significant events and initiatives across multiple regions.

In August 2026, Cairo Jennings, USPTO’s IP Attaché for Mercosur, spoke at the Brazilian IP Association’s (ABPI) 46th International Congress on Intellectual Property in Rio de Janeiro. He provided updates on USPTO operations and joined a panel with representatives from Brazil’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and Japan’s Patent Office (JETRO) to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in patent and trademark examination processes.

Shortly after, on August 19, Katherine M. Hiner, the USPTO’s IP attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa, participated in a call with African journalists organized by the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub. The discussion highlighted the “IP for Growth” workshops held in Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg, South Africa, emphasizing the USPTO’s efforts to promote effective IP systems across the continent. The call also featured Anne Compton, public diplomacy officer at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Phillip Assis, director of the Africa Regional Media Hub, and Ashleigh Shields, public engagement coordinator at the U.S. Mission to the UN.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service announced a partnership with the USPTO aimed at combating counterfeit goods and strengthening border enforcement for intellectual property protection, as reported in the Peoples Gazette.

On July 11, 2026, Matthew Kohner, the USPTO’s IP attaché based in Bangkok, took part in the anti-counterfeiting campaign “Do Not Buy, Do Not Use, Do Not Support Intellectual Property Infringement” held in Siam Square, Bangkok. The event, adjacent to the MBK Center known for counterfeit goods, included participation from Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun, Department of Intellectual Property Director General Auramon Supthaweethum, and other officials.

Earlier that month, on July 9, Katherine Hiner joined a panel titled “The Rhythm of IP” during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Assemblies in Geneva. The event, part of the IP for Growth Initiative and hosted by the U.S. Mission in Geneva with Universal Music Group, featured American musician John Legend and Nigerian rapper Ladipoe. Hiner emphasized the U.S. commitment to empowering creators in Sub-Saharan Africa and fostering solutions that benefit artists and entrepreneurs.

The USPTO welcomed two new IP attachés in a virtual swearing-in ceremony on June 29, 2026. Shailendra Bhumralkar will serve as the IP attaché for South Asia based in New Delhi, India, while Scott Strickland will cover Southern, Southwestern, and Southeastern China, including Hong Kong and Macao, from Guangzhou. The ceremony was led by Deborah Lashley-Johnson, Director of the IP Attaché Program.

In April 2026, USPTO officials participated in the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. Deborah Lashley-Johnson discussed managing IP enforcement across borders with lessons from the tri-border area in Latin America, highlighting efforts led by Brazil-based attaché Cairo Jennings. Former Ukraine-based attaché Dorian Mazurkevich addressed disrupting counterfeit trade in free trade zones, while attorney-advisor Conrad Wong spoke on landlord liability as a tool for IP enforcement.

The USPTO also hosted a Dialogue on Live Sports Event Content Protection and Illicit Streaming Enforcement, with the U.S. Commercial Service Mexico sharing details on social media.

In February 2026, Cairo Jennings participated in the Department of Justice’s Digital Piracy Working Group meeting in Rio de Janeiro, leading a panel on public-private partnerships and discussing technical developments to counter digital piracy in Latin America.

Matthew Kohner contributed to the Trademark 5 (TM5) workshop on February 5 in Bangkok, focusing on combating bad faith trademark filings. The workshop, co-organized by the Japan Patent Office, Japan External Trade Organization, and Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property, aimed to support Thai trademark examiners.

In November 2025, Lima-based IP attaché Jennifer Chicoski spoke at the launch of the anti-counterfeiting campaign “Por un Perú de Largo Aliento,” which educates the public on health risks from counterfeit respiratory products. The campaign targets Peru’s mining, construction, and agriculture workers who rely on quality respirators.

In September 2025, Matthew Kohner and U.S. Embassy Bangkok Economic Analyst Stephen Orr participated in Thailand’s annual destruction ceremony of intellectual property rights infringing goods, destroying over 1.5 million counterfeit items including apparel, footwear, and car parts bearing U.S. and international brands.

On August 26, 2025, Kohner met with Vichea Suon, Director of Cambodia’s Department of Intellectual Property and Chairperson of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation, during Singapore IP Week to discuss IP protection and enforcement in ASEAN.

In June 2025, Katherine Hiner took part in an event in Nairobi organized by the American Chamber of Commerce Kenya and the U.S. Embassy, focusing on opportunities for U.S. industry in Kenya’s creative economy. Hiner stressed the importance of a strong IP framework for creators and rights owners.

In May 2025, Michael Mangelson, USPTO’s IP counselor in Beijing, moderated a pharmaceutical IP seminar at the U.S. Consulate’s Shanghai American Center. The event featured speakers from Jones Day Shanghai, AstraZeneca, PhRMA’s Beijing Office, and a former Beijing IP court judge.