Michael Mangelson is the intellectual property (IP) counselor based at the U.S. embassy in Beijing, China, where he serves as the chief IP officer for advocating U.S. IP interests, policies, and initiatives in China. Michael works closely with U.S. businesses on promoting and protecting their IP interests in China, and he advises and coordinates with U.S. government agencies and China counterparts to resolve IP issues, promote U.S. IP policy, encourage effective IP protection and enforcement in China, and secure high IP standards in laws and trade agreements, for the benefit of U.S. stakeholders.
Michael served as the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Principal Counsel and Director for China IP from 2019-23 and as the U.S. IP Attaché in Shanghai, China from 2014-19. He joined the public sector with 20 years of experience as a nationally recognized IP practitioner, strategist, and former head of the China Practice group and Technology & Intellectual Property group for U.S. law firm Stoel Rives in Salt Lake City, and previously with Morrison & Foerster in Los Angeles and Hong Kong, and Jones Day in Taiwan.
Michael chaired the Intellectual Property Section of the Utah State Bar and taught IP law and technology licensing as an Adjunct Professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) law school for twelve years. As a practitioner, Michael was an industry-recognized IP attorney, including rankings in Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA and Best Lawyers’ 2012 Trademark Law Lawyer of the Year.
Michael studied international relations and Chinese language, history and culture at BYU, Nanjing University, and East China Normal University. Michael holds a Juris Doctor degree from BYU Law School and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, with a U.S. Foreign Service ILR rating of 4/4 (Full Professional Proficiency).
About the USPTO and OPIA
Aside from the issuance of patents and registration of trademarks, the USPTO has a statutory mandate to advise the President and all federal agencies, through the Secretary of Commerce, on national and international intellectual property (IP) policy issues, including IP protection in other countries. In addition, the USPTO is authorized by statute to provide guidance, conduct programs and studies, and interact with IP offices worldwide—and with international intergovernmental organizations—on matters involving IP.
The OPIA fulfills this mandate by leading negotiations on behalf of the United States at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); advising the Administration on the negotiation and implementation of the IP provisions of international trade agreements; advising the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on a full range of IP policy matters, including in the areas of patent, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets; conducting empirical research on IP; and providing educational programs on the protection, use, and enforcement of IP.