SAVE THE DATE: Celebrate World IP Day at the Copyright Office
Issue No. 659 - April 7, 2017


The U.S. Copyright Office will host a program in recognition of World Intellectual Property Day on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. in the historic Coolidge Auditorium in the Jefferson Building in Washington, DC. This year’s theme, as announced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is “Innovation – Improving Lives.”


This program will feature remarks and panel discussions focusing on the impact of creative works and performances on the lives of both creators and the public. In partnership with the Copyright Alliance, this Copyright Office program will include panel discussions featuring Linda Perry (rock singer-songwriter, producer, member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame), Jason King (musician, performer, journalist, scholar), and Steve Bogard (writer of ten number one country songs, member of Nashville Songwriters Association International). The panel will be moderated by Eric Schwartz (partner, Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp LLP). Introductory remarks will be made by Karyn A. Temple, Acting Register of Copyrights, and Keith Kupferschmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Alliance.


To show the importance of recording technology as a tool of creativity, this program also will include excerpts from the eight-part PBS documentary series, Soundbreaking: Stories From the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music.


World Intellectual Property Day, observed on April 26th since 2000, marks the date in 1970 when the WIPO Convention came into force. The anniversary of this occasion is observed as a way of promoting and increasing general understanding of intellectual property. This program is part of the Copyright Matters lecture series, and is free and open to the public. Please visit the event page to stay apprised of updated information about this program and speakers. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or [email protected].