Intellectual property (IP) protections are the backbone of innovation and creativity, fueling overall economic growth. Leaders at the forefront of IP advocacy and policy pave the way for vital innovative and creative ecosystems to flourish. Each year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes a handful of these leaders during the IP Champions reception.
Following this year’s event, the Global Innovation Policy Center is celebrating awardees through a dynamic series of conversations. These discussions delve into the transformative impact of intellectual property, the driving forces behind their advocacy, and their inspiring visions for the future of innovation and creativity. This article is the second in a series of five IP award winner features.
*Note: The answers are the views of the interviewed and don’t necessarily reflect the official positions of the U.S. Chamber.
What sparked your passion or inspired you to become an intellectual property rights champion?
I lived through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the challenges to IP caused by the commercial development of the Internet. We learned a lot of lessons, and that has inspired me to fight for creators’ rights as we encounter new challenges with AI.
How does intellectual property impact your organization day to day?
At RIAA, we are on the front lines of protecting artists’ work from theft. We send millions of notices to take down stolen tracks, litigate to protect creative rights, fight for policies that ensure fair compensation and competition, and engage in campaigns to protect the rights of artists.
Can you share a specific project or initiative that you believe has made a significant impact on intellectual property?
The passage of the Music Modernization Act helped remove friction from the music marketplace, ensure rights, encourage collaboration, and finally compensate legacy artists for their recordings played on digital radio. It was a great accomplishment.
What role do you believe collaboration plays in advancing intellectual property initiatives, and can you share an example of a successful partnership you’ve been involved in?
When it comes to legislating, collaboration is the only way to achieve progress. Recently, we have been working with the digital media and AI companies on federal protections against deepfakes through the NO FAKES Act.
In your opinion, what are the biggest and most urgent challenges facing the intellectual property landscape today, and how can champions like you tackle these challenges?
No question that AI is the single biggest challenge. The desire to copy the works of others to train AI models without consent and compensation is anathema to the principles of copyright. Creating derivative outputs, using those inputs, also tramples the rights of the creators whose genius was taken. We can tackle these challenges through marketplace partnerships, just as we did with streaming. Licensing allows for better fan-based content, evolving business models and thriving partnerships.
How do you see intellectual property policy and enforcement evolving over the next few years?
Technology will make a big difference in the enforcement of IP rights, as will AI to detect theft.
