Erin Shi serves as a senior intellectual property (IP) specialist in Shanghai, China, and covers eastern and central China. She has more than 17 years of experience in IP law, having worked for agencies of both the Chinese and U.S. governments as well as an international law firm.
Prior to re-joining the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Shanghai team in 2019, Ms. Shi worked as an IP attorney for Jones Day Shanghai from 2015 to 2019. With her broad experience in both the public and private sectors, she provided clients with practical advice on various IP and regulatory issues.
From 2012 to 2015, Ms. Shi was part of the USPTO Shanghai team, working closely with other U.S. federal agencies on various U.S.-China IP matters, including Chinese patent law amendments, patent administrative enforcement measures, service invention regulations, and technology licensing regulations. She also provided advice to U.S. rights holders regarding IP protection and enforcement strategies.
Prior to joining the USPTO in 2012, Ms. Shi was an administrative enforcement officer with the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA) from 2002 to 2012, where she handled patent-related disputes relating to infringement, service invention remuneration, and attribution of rights. She also served as an enforcement officer at trade fairs, handling patent infringement disputes.
Ms. Shi graduated from the Shanghai University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law, and obtained an LL.M. from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law.
About the USPTO and the Office of Policy and International Affairs
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 USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs 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.