Launching the Renewing American Innovation Project: A Conversation with Andrei Iancu and Walt Copan

The newly established Renewing American Innovation (RAI) Project explores the factors that make for a highly competitive, innovation-based society today. Looking at the architecture of renewal both proposed and underway to restore the United States’ postwar status as the world’s foremost center of innovation and advancement in science and technology, RAI recognizes the growing challenges the United States faces from robust competition in this space. The United States is now in a great competition with China. There are many dimensions to this complex issue, but increasingly people understand that this is a struggle that is primarily to be waged on technological and economic terms. To succeed, America must become a stronger, more dynamic, and compelling market and society that leverages its uniquely innovative and pioneering spirit against the formidable might of state capitalism.

This event features The Honorable Andrei Iancu, who most recently was under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Iancu is a leading intellectual property attorney, served as managing partner at Irell & Manella LLP, and taught patent law at the UCLA School of Law.

In addition, The Honorable Walter Copan most recently served as under secretary of commerce for standards and technology and 16th director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, he was an industry leader and served with two Department of Energy national laboratories. Dr. Copan is a distinguished leader with wide-ranging experience spanning large company, entrepreneurial tech startup, U.S. government, nonprofit, and other public sector settings.

This timely conversation with Walt Copan and Andrei Iancu will center around how government, industry, and academia can work together in patent reform, standards-setting, greater IP protection, and elsewhere to build the long-term strategy the U.S. needs to win this global technological competition.

Featuring
Walter G. Copan
Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Renewing American Innovation Project

Andrei Iancu
Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Renewing American Innovation Project

Moderated by
John J. Hamre
CSIS President and CEO, and Langone Chair in American Leadership

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.