News

WASHINGTON, DC (January 5, 2024) – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the appointment of Sharon Israel as Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs. Ms. Israel will lead USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA), leading U.S. delegations to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including priority copyright matters in the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC). OPIA also plays a vital role in U.S. copyright diplomacy in countries around the globe.  

“RIAA welcomes Ms. Isreal’s appointment as Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs at the USPTO. Her extensive experience and expertise will make an important addition to the USPTO’s team of copyright experts at headquarters and IP Attachés in U.S. embassies around the world. OPIA has long been a steadfast supporter of a strong U.S. copyright system, and an advocate for strong copyright protection around the world,” says RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. 

“RIAA is enthusiastic about the Office’s continued trajectory under Ms. Israel’s leadership and we are very much looking forward to partnering on creative community priorities such as safeguarding copyright protection in the context of AI, including in the US pursuant to the recent Executive Order, as well as in multilateral work in the G7, OECD and other forums. We are equally eager to work together with the OPIA Director to push back against highly-concerning text-and-data-mining exceptions to copyright overseas, including in Japan and Singapore.”