The Kirk Record on IP

by Mark Esper

Earlier today, President-elect Barack Obama announced his selection of former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk as the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). In light of this announcement, a review of Kirk's record on intellectual property (IP) offers some encouraging insights about the economic benefits he attributes to IP.

For example:

As Mayor Of Dallas, Ron Kirk Praised A Plan To Bring More Biotechnology Companies Into The City, Calling It An "Opportunity To Develop An Entire New Economy" Driven By The City's Intellectual Property. "With a top-notch medical school and strong venture capital base, Dallas is reviving an effort to lure biotechnology companies to the southern part of the city or near the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The Dallas Plan organization, which developed a long-term vision for the city's future in 1995, wants Dallas to be a national hub for inventions. … The Dallas City Council and the Dallas County Commissioners Court have been briefed on the Dallas Plan's biotechnology strategy. The research team included representatives from the city, county, Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and the consulting firm of Coopers & Lybrand. 'It's as exciting a prospect for expanding our economic base as I've seen in a while,' said Mayor Ron Kirk. 'This is an opportunity to develop an entire new economy based upon intellectual property that we already have principally coming from Southwestern Medical Center and our entire medical infrastructure.'" (Charles Ornstein, "Dallas Reviving Effort To Recruit Biotechnology Companies," The Dallas Morning News, 4/24/98)

Because America's IP-intensive industries account for more than half of all U.S. exports, Ron Kirk's appreciation for IP is a welcome sign for innovators and workers in our creative sectors.

The next USTR will face a number of important IP issues, including the advancement of trade agreements with strong global IP protections and improving the Special 301 process to better address countries that fail to live up to their international IP obligations. The Chamber is prepared to work with Ron Kirk on these and other issues in defense of innovation at home and abroad. We look forward to learning more about his plans to protect IP during the Senate confirmation hearing process.