It has been about one year since I last reported on the foreign IP diplomatic community in China – those individuals who are posted by their respective patent, trademark or copyright offices to China.   This year, I would like once again to introduce some of the changes in that specialized community in China.

As China Advisor of European Patent Office as well as Market Access Advisor for EU SME Centre, Benoit Misonne, has just been appointed Team Leader of the Technical Experts’ Team of IP Key (2013-2016). Benoit had been engaged in the EU-China Project on the Protection of Intellectual Property (IPR2) and brings solid experience and expertise to the project.  On a personal note, I first met Benoit at a CD/DVD “burn” about 10 years ago, and I am personally gratified to see his continuing involvement in IP issues in China.

Another IP official from EU is Christophe Gimenez who is on his mission from OHIM-the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs). OHIM provides trade mark and design registration throughout the EU.   Many will remember the excellent work  of Thomas Pattloch on behalf of another European agency, the European Patent Office, when he was posted to the Commission, and it is especially gratifying to see continuity in postings from EU IP agencies to China.

While I do not know the full IPR Key team, I do know that Benoit and Christophe are ably joined by Dan Prud’homme who is serving as a Technical Expert at “IP Key”.  Dan previously worked at the European Chamber as well as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, amongst other positions.  He has recently made his mark in  patent quality issues.

Another European representative, Jean-Baptiste Barbier, just arrived China this year as the current representative of French Industrial Property Office (INPI), based at the French Embassy. His title is: Counselor for IPR issues / INPI Attaché, French Embassy in China .  His  previous experience included work at French National Anti-Counterfeiting Committee (CNAC), in EU cooperation projects and technical assistance programs and he brings considerable experience to this posting.

On the US side, Timothy Browning and Joel Blank have been posted to the US consulate in Guangzhou, and the US Embassy in Beijing, respectively.  Both previously served as Attorney-Advisors at USPTO and have had extensive experience in China, particularly in enforcement-related matters and have considerable China experience.  I first met Tim Browning in the last century (that makes us feel old!) on an anti-piracy matter in China when he was at Rouse/Guangzhou, while Joel and I served briefly together at the US embassy in Beijing, when he was with the Office of General Counsel at the Department of Commerce.

Returning home after a busy year in Shanghai where he set up the USPTO’s newest IP attaché office with the U.S. Consulate, Dr. Jared Ragland is now back in D.C., and  looking to apply his skills in the private sector. Dr. Ragland has extensive experience addressing with market access barriers including problems with IPR protection and enforcement, biopharmaceutical, medical device and information technology related regulatory policies, standards and conformance, competition policy and industrial/innovation policies.

One of my great pleasures while I served at the US Embassy-Beijing was working with my colleagues from foreign IP agencies. Welcome and cheers to you all!

Mark Cohen