Campinos was speaking at the IP Business Congress 2012, presented by WTR’s sister title Intellectual Asset Management (IAM). In the opening plenary session, entitled ‘The Tipping Point’, the issue of anti-IP sentiment was discussed at some length – with Bruce Berman, chief executive officer of Brody Berman Associates, noting:“Respect for intellectual property has never been lower and it is almost fashionable now to disrespect IP.” Berman argued that the exclusivity of IP “rubs people the wrong way – as it flies in the face of freedom. But it has to be put in context and seldom is”.

David Kappos, director, US Patent & Trademark Office, agreed this was particularly the case in the recent debate about online piracy legislation, “which led to a full on meltdown that was based on misunderstandings”. He expanded: “To me it’s all about a negative view of IP that is a convenient one used by people who want the short term benefit of a cheaper CD or less expensive pharmaceutical. They want that now and don’t have in mind the next treatment they might need, which may not exist because investment is not made in pharmaceuticals down the road.” To counter this, he identified the need for a balanced dialogue in which practitioners “champion a brighter vision of IP”.

It is a sentiment that Campinos subscribes to. Noting the rising political power of pirate parties in Europe he stressed the need to make a provable case for IP: “We have to first do some homework and then make our case. We have to show to the world the extent to which IP generates employment and supports the economy. Once we have done this we can then truly demonstrate what impact counterfeiting and piracy has on jobs.”

Earlier this month OHIM was officially entrusted with responsibility for The European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, with Campinos stressing that the Observatory was not only focused on trademarks and designs, but “all forms of IP”. Referencing the USPTO’s recent economic study, Campinos said: “We commend the USPTO for its brilliant study on the contribution of IP intensive industries to economic growth. In Europe we want to do the same and by the end of 2013, working closely with the European Patent Office, we want to publish a study evidencing the contribution IP intensive industries make in terms of economic growth and employment. We have to start with the positive – instead of just saying to our children ‘you shouldn’t illegally download’ we should start with the positive and tell them what IP actually contributes to society.”

IAM magazine is tweeting regularly from the IP Business Congress, so for updates follow the tag #IPBC12.