The United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) Overseas Intellectual Property (IP) Attaché program works to improve intellectual property systems internationally for the benefit of U.S. stakeholders.
The IP Attaché Program currently includes Officers in the following ten cities: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Guangzhou, China; Beijing, China; Shanghai, China; Kuwait City, Kuwait; New Delhi, India; Mexico City, Mexico; Moscow, Russia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Geneva, Switzerland.
Attachés cover the following geographical regions:
| Foreign Posts |
Geographic Regions Covered |
|---|---|
| Brazil |
Base: Rio de Janeiro Coverage: South America (including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, and French Guiana). |
| China |
Base: Guangzhou Coverage: Most of southeastern China, including Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi Provinces, and Hainan Island. |
| China (2) |
Base: Beijing Coverage: All of China excluding the parts of southeastern China listed above. |
| China (3) |
Base: Shanghai Coverage: East China and Shanghai consular area Provinces (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui). |
| Kuwait |
Base: Kuwait City Coverage: Middle East and North Africa. |
| India |
Base: New Delhi Coverage: South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives). |
| Mexico |
Base: Mexico City Coverage: Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. |
| Russia |
Base: Moscow Coverage: Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine). |
| Thailand |
Base: Bangkok Coverage: Southeast Asia and ASEAN (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam). |
The USPTO conducts the IP Attaché program in cooperation with the International Trade Administration/Global Markets, the U.S. Trade Representative's Office, and the U.S. Department of State. The Attachés serve at U.S. embassies, consulates and missions throughout the world.
Contact Information for IP Attachés
Primary Goals and Objectives of the IP Attaché Program
- To promote U.S. government IP policy internationally.
- To help secure high standards in international agreements and host country laws.
- To encourage effective IP protection and enforcement by U.S. trading partners for the benefit of U.S. stakeholders.
Role and Primary Responsibilities of the IP Attaché Program
- Advocating U.S. Government IP policy, interests and initiatives;
- Assisting U.S. businesses on IP matters including protection, enforcement, use and licensing;
- Improving IPR protection and enforcement by conducting training activities with host governments;
- Advising officials at all levels of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Department of Justice, etc., on the host government's IP system;
- Advising representatives of the host government or region on U.S. intellectual property law and policy;
- Helping to secure high quality IP provisions in international agreements and host country laws, and working to monitor the implementation of these provisions; and
- Performing ad hoc U.S. Commercial Service (CS) duties as necessary, such as representing the CS at host government functions and advising American companies on the local IP environment.
Interested in becoming an IP Attaché? Check out www.usajobs.gov
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q: How to apply for an IP Attaché position?
A: Vacancies are announced through the USAJOBS webpage. Interested applicants should follow the application procedures outlined in the vacancy announcement. Please note that the vacancies will be advertised as "Attorney Adviser (Intellectual Property Rights)".
Q: How long does the IP Attaché serve?
A: IP Attachés will serve an initial 2-year limited appointment, which may be extended for up to 3 additional years. The International Trade Administration/Global Markets (ITA/GM), Assignments Office, in consultation with the USPTO, will determine whether or not to grant the extension. USPTO employees selected for these positions are eligible to return to USPTO at the end of the assignment. USPTO cannot guarantee those hired from other federal agencies or private industry will be afforded this same opportunity.
Q: Is intellectual property knowledge and experience required?
A: Yes. While expertise in all areas of intellectual property protection and enforcement is not required, general knowledge of IP is necessary. Attachés are placed in foreign countries for the purpose of improving intellectual property protection and enforcement for the benefit of U.S. interests. The Attachés serve as liaisons to their foreign counterparts and work to engage these counterparts in an ongoing dialogue about IP issues. Additionally, the Attachés conduct and help organize IP-related training and technical assistance for host country officials.
Q: Is fluency of a foreign language required to apply?
A: No, there is no foreign language fluency requirement. However, for certain posts, foreign language fluency may be preferred, meaning we may elect to favor foreign language skills under some circumstances.
Q: Does USPTO offer language training?
A: While language training is not mandatory for Attachés, USPTO offers, when resources permit, language training to USPTO employees who are selected for overseas assignments. Attachés are also encouraged to participate in language training classes offered at post.
Q: After a candidate is selected, what training is required?
A: All incoming IP Attachés begin their assignment with orientation and training.
Orientation at the International Trade Administration (ITA) will introduce new employees to the structure and function of the Agency, the employee's role in the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy, terms of employment, and core skills needed by all Foreign Service employees. Orientation at the USPTO will introduce the Attaché to colleagues from other U.S. Government agencies who work on host country IP-related matters; engage representatives from trade associations with knowledge of the host country's intellectual property rights environment; and in general, acquaint the Attaché with the functioning of the USPTO.
Training consists of several course hours and a detail to USPTO's Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA). The IP Attaché will spend time at the USPTO attending programs at the Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) to enhance his or her knowledge of intellectual property. The length and nature of training depends on the Attaché's depth and breadth of knowledge of intellectual property matters.
Attachés must also complete several mandatory classes prior to deployment overseas. These classes are a combination of classroom and online training offered by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Transition Center in Arlington, VA. The FSI offers Foreign Service life skills courses (e.g., diversity, security, protocol, logistics, realities) to U.S. Government employees and their spouses preparing for, or returning from, an overseas assignment. Foreign language training may be offered by USPTO if resources permit
Q: Can spouses and children go to post?
A: Yes, eligible family members may travel with the Attaché.
Q: Are non-citizens eligible for employment?
A: No. Only U.S. citizens may apply for an appointment to the overseas IP Attaché program
Q: What is the background investigation in the security clearance process?
A: Applicants who are selected will be asked to submit forms for the Top Secret security clearance required for appointment to the overseas IP Attaché program. The clearance process investigates the candidate's background and, prior to issuing a security clearance, considers such factors as: registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a U.S. Government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law; misrepresentation in the Registration Process; drug or alcohol abuse; a criminal record; extensive travel; education; residence and/or employment overseas; dual citizenship; foreign contacts; immediate family or relatives who are not citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse or foreign born declared same-sex domestic partner; or a less- than-honorable discharge from the armed forces. Investigations include interviews with current and previous contacts, supervisors, and coworkers.