Statement by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross and USPTO Under Secretary for Intellectual Property Andrei Iancu on the Election of Daren Tong as WIPO Director General

WASHINGTON –  The Department of Commerce and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office congratulate Daren Tang, Singapore’s Chief Executive of Intellectual Property, on his election to the post of Director General for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Wilbur L. Ross, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, praised the nomination.

“The election of Daren Tang as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization is good news for the global economy. Mr. Tang understands the importance of intellectual property rights to inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, companies, and all those whose livelihoods depend on their creative genius. Much of today’s economic growth is due to the application of new inventions, technologies, and cultural creations that are protected by patents, trademarks, and copyrights.”

Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director, stated:

“I congratulate Daren Tang on his election as the new Director General of the WIPO. We are eager to work with Mr. Tang and his leadership team to enhance multilateral cooperation and build consensus on IP issues. We especially look forward to working with WIPO and all of its member states to continue its mission of safeguarding intellectual property as a means of driving innovation, investment, and economic opportunity everywhere in the world.”